The history of this area is rich

Rievaulx Abbey’s association with the uplands around Bilsdale began with the grant made by Walter Espec. Monastic-period activity in this area included farming, with granges and sheepcotes being established. Rievaux also extracted and worked the local stone and mineral resource.

The Historic Environment Record suggests that the monastic period is only a fraction of the human activity in this area. A sample of the known archaeology includes possible prehistoric field systems, standing stones, findspots of Mesolithic flint, cairnfields & round barrows, remains of stone crosses, post-medieval coal workings, a 19th century Horse Engine house and bomber crash sites.

Most of this area has not been systematically investigated in terms of the multi-period archaeological resource. So much work remains to be done.