Mastiles Lane, near Malham and Kilnsey in North Yorkshire, was a Roman marching road and later an important route for the Cistercian monks leading sheep from Fountains Abbey to summer pasture on higher ground. Also known as the Old Monks' Road,[1] it is now a Dales walking track.

Historic England refers to a Roman temporary camp and medieval monastic cross base located along the lane.[2] The National Trust states that Mastiles Lane was owned by Coverham Abbey, near Middleham.[3]

It has been suggested that after the dissolution of the monasteries Mastiles Lane became a droving route for cattle being brought south from Scotland.[4]

References

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  1. ^ National Trust, Malham Tarn archaeology walk, accessed 19 November 2018
  2. ^ Historic England, Roman temporary camp and medieval monastic cross base, Mastiles Lane, accessed 1 September 2019
  3. ^ National Trust, Medieval wayside cross base by Water Sinks Gate, Malham Tarn Estate, accessed 11 January 2020
  4. ^ Brockhurst, M., Kilnsey, Mastiles Lane, Malham Tarn, Cote Moor and Hawkswick, accessed 11 January 2020