Old Wifes' Well & Mauley Cross

It's not often that four mysterious, historical, and spiritual monuments are all found at a single place within a few yards of each other - with each monument representing a completely unique period of human history.

But just such a place can be found tucked-away in a very quiet corner of the North York Moors in Cropton Forest.

The sites are easy to visit from Rosedale Abbey; and are located on the Egton Bridge to Stape Road.

I'll describe the route in more detail a little later.

Once you arrive, you can visit - and ponder on the origins - of the Old Wife’s Well, Mauley Cross, a remnant of Roman Road, and a stone-age Flint working site - all within yards of each other.

Map Showing Mauley Cross, Old Wife's Well, Roman Road and Flint Site.

The flint working site is from the earliest period of human occupation of the North York Moors - and was known to antiquarian collectors from the eighteen-hundreds.

Archaeological investigation in the 1950’s and 1960’s recovered hundreds of flints from the location.

The flint working spanned the period from the Neolithic era, through the Mesolithic era, and even into Bronze Age.

This finding indicated that the site had been occupied by Moorland dwellers for thousands of years.

The Moorland spring known as Old Wife’s Well is under 200 yards from the stone-age flint site and it is highly probable that the spring was the primary source of fresh water for the people living here.

On a visit today, you will discover that the Well is a small stone structure, capped with a large stone slab.

The words "Nattie Fonten"  are inscribed across the front of the slab.

The inscription on the well has long been puzzled over; and I have no idea what it means!

Despite its remoteness, there are numerous Clooties (bits of ribbons and cloth) on the Silver Birch Trees around the Well.

The Clooties show that the primitive urge to make votive offerings at this spiritual location remains strong in some members of the public.

I won't speak out against this tradition; but please don’t leave any litter that spoils our beautiful Moorland environment.

There are many places across the North York Moors that reference "Old Wife".

All the references refer to prehistoric locations of human habitation or distinctive landscape features.

You'll find the Old Wife’s Stones at Danby.

There are also Old Wife's Stones in Bilsdale.

You can also visit the Old Wife’s Neck standing stones on Fylingdales Moor.

And the Old Wife’s Way leads to a ruined stone circle at Blakey Topping behind the Hole-of-Horcum.

The third interesting feature in the vicity of the well and the flint site is Mauley Cross.

Mauley Cross Stands Amongst the Pines in Cropton Forest.

Mauley Cross is a large cross hewn from a solid piece of stone and it was originally placed by de Mauley family of Mulgrave Castle.

It is thought that the Cross marked their boundary of their Estate's grazing rights.

So there is no religious content behind the placement of Mauley Cross.

In earlier times, the Cross stood on open Moorland, but nowadays the modern pine forest has grown up around it.

The flint site, Old Wife's Well and Mauley Cross are all situated just a few yards from the fourth feature worthy of a visit.

This is the Roman road that ran from Amotherby near Malton via Cawthorn to the Esk valley and into Whitby.

The Roman road through Cropton Forest and across Wheeldale Moor is locally known as Wade’s Causeway.

According to local legend, Wade was a giant who used the road to drive his sheep and cattle to market.

There are lots of other local folk tales about Wade - and his wife - but I'll leave those for another day!

Getting There

From Rosella Cottage in Rosedale Abbey, take the Heygate Bank Road out of the village towards Egton Bridge.

It is a beautiful drive across Hamer Moor.

When you reach the T-junction in Egton Bridge - just after the Horseshoe Pub - turn right and follow the sign showing "Roman Road" and "Goathland".

Stay on Wheeldale Road which brings you onto the Moor.

You'll drop down to cross Wheeldale Gill by the stone bridge; and then rise up quite steeply.

The Roman road is on the Moor to your left.

Continue until you meet the Forest on your left.

Continue a little further until you enter the Forest on both sides of the road.

Just a couple of hundred yards further along is a road off to the left.

The flint site, Mauley Cross, and the Roman road are all close-by the left turn junction.

The Old Wife's Well is 200 yards further along on the road through the Forest.