Cautley Iron Age settlement

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Historical Environment Record No:
MYD3601
Parish:
Sedbergh
OS Grid Reference:
SD690972
Dale:
Cumbria
Related to:

Timeline

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Description

View of Cautley settlement MYD3601 (c) Robert White, 2004

View of Cautley settlement MYD3601 (c) Robert White, 2004

Archaeologists have discovered the houses and fields of an Iron Age farming community in the valley below Cautley Spout, a spectacular waterfall. These people probably lived by grazing sheep and cattle and growing a few crops in the tiny enclosures close to their simple stone and timber round houses.

What is unusual about this settlement is the fact that a stone-edged trackway leads from it straight toward the base of the falls and then stops. It may be that the falls had some special significance for these people.

In Medieval times, one of many sheepfolds in the area was built over the ruins of the settlement.

Reconstruction of Cautley Iron Age settlement MYD3601 (c) YDNPA, 2023

Reconstruction of Cautley Iron Age settlement MYD3601 (c) YDNPA, 2023

Location

Take A683 east from Sedbergh for about 4 miles to Cross Keys Hotel, Cautley. Just beyond hotel, take public bridleway on left hand side of road signed to 'Cautley Spout'. Cross over footbridge and turn left on well-made path alongside river. Continue on a public footpath past turning to another footbridge until reach interpretation panel about the site . Continue toward Cautley Spout on well-made path, crossing a stream, then up rising ground onto hillock where scattered stone and earthwork remains of settlement can be seen. Distance from road, about 3/4 mile.

Public Transport Details

Nearest town/village: Cross Keys Temperance Hotel, Cautley. Call Traveline on 0870 608 2 608 to plan your journey. After the welcome message key in 874 for Cumbria information.

Accessibility

Steep steps down to footbridge and handgate. Well-made path up to interpretation panel. Stream crossing and rougher going uphill after that.