Location : Kirkby Stephen
Map - Ordnance Survey - NY 782015.
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Mallerstang, together with the other Pennine Dales and the Upper Eden Valley, are among England's few remaining wild and peaceful places. David Bellamy described this general area as "England's last Wilderness".
It lies between Mallerstang Edge/High Seat on the Eastern side and Wild Boar Fell on its western side, and roughly covers the area from Kirkby Stephen, south to Garsdale.
The River Eden, which has its source on Black Fell Moss above Hell Gill Beck, flows through the valley and the Carlisle to Settle Railway also follows the valley.
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At the Northern end of Mallerstang, not far from Lammerside Castle, are the Giants Graves, which are probably Bronze Age burial grounds (NY 777044).
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Throughout its length, the valley of Mallerstang is buttressed and sheltered on the east by a continuous barrier of high ground, everywhere above the 2000' contour, and seamed by watercourses and cliffs. This is Mallerstang Edge, forming the Pennine watershed between east and west, and, although little visited, gives an exhilarating high-level walk, unimpeded by walls or fences, for several miles.
Photos by Simon Ledingham.
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Read A Virtual Walk through Mallerstang for a description of the features and places of interest of the valley :
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'pillow mounds' near the old Smardale Viaduct
'pillow mounds' near the old Smardale Viaduct
In Smardale attached to the estates of Smardale Hall and Ravenstone Dale Manor are a number of 'pillow mounds', sometimes called Giants graves, although they are not. Pillow mounds, probably a late medieval development, are low stone mounds which were once covered with earth and used as artificial rabbit warrens.
In the middle ages rabbits were regarded as valuable animals, to be looked after and cosseted. Rabbits were brought into this country by the Normans. They are originally from southern Europe, and it took them a long time to adjust to our cold, wet climate. But they were such useful animals - their meat was delicate and well-flavoured, the soft fur made fine leather and warm linings for winter clothes, and their stomachs could be used to rennet cheese.
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Page last changed 8 Nov 2007.