Wicker Street, Crosby Ravensworth Fell
More Articles in the Haweswater to Orton subsection
Wicker Street Burial Cairn
Wicker Street, Orton - Coast to Coast
Wicker Street is the name given to a substantial Bronze Age burial cairn situated beside the ancient Roman road of the same name on the high limestone plateau of Crosby Ravensworth Fell. The cairn stands approximately 30 metres east of the Roman route, which traverses the fell from south to north, linking the Roman fort at Tebay with settlements in the Eden Valley near Crosby Ravensworth.
The Coast to Coast path crosses Wicker Street amidst an extensive area of limestone pavement around 3 miles south of Oddendale and 1.5 miles west of Robin Hood’s Grave. Together, the Roman road, prehistoric cairn and surrounding archaeological landscape provide a remarkable glimpse into more than 3,000 years of human activity on these remote uplands.
Wicker Street Burial Cairn
Approaching the monument, the cairn rises from a small area of soil surrounded by limestone pavement. The high plateau of Crosby Ravensworth Fell provides extensive views across the surrounding uplands, while the Coast to Coast path passes nearby on its journey towards Orton.
Bronze Age Burial Cairn, Wicker Street
This Bronze Age burial cairn dates from approximately 2000–700 BC and stands just east of Wicker Street Roman Road. Although modest in appearance today, the monument occupies a prominent position on the fell and forms part of a wider prehistoric landscape that includes Robin Hood’s Grave, Oddendale and Seal Howe.
Wicker Street Cairn Bronze Age Earthwork
The circular form of the cairn is clearly visible from this angle, with a pronounced concentric depression surrounding the central mound. Beyond the monument, the view extends north towards the valley of Oddendale, linking this Bronze Age burial site with a wider landscape rich in prehistoric remains.
Archeology of Crosby Ravensworth Fell
Bronze Age Cairn
Wicker Street Burial Cairn dates from approximately 2000–700 BC and occupies a prominent position on the limestone plateau of Crosby Ravensworth Fell.
Round Barrow
Circular burial mounds were constructed throughout the Bronze Age as places of burial, remembrance and territorial significance.
Roman Road
Wicker Street Roman Road crosses the fell from south to north, linking Roman settlements and providing a direct route across the uplands.
Ancient Routeways
High-level routes often remained in use for centuries, connecting settlements, grazing lands and ceremonial landscapes.
Limestone Plateau
The cairn and Roman road occupy a high limestone landscape shaped by glaciation, weathering and thousands of years of human activity.
Oddendale
The nearby valley contains prehistoric stone circles, cairns and other archaeological remains that demonstrate long-term occupation of the area.
Robin Hood’s Grave
This large prehistoric cairn stands east of Wicker Street and forms part of the same ancient ceremonial landscape.
Seal Howe
One of Cumbria’s most impressive Bronze Age burial mounds, Seal Howe occupies a prominent skyline position overlooking the Lyvennet Valley.
Visibility
Burial monuments were commonly placed on elevated ground where they could be seen from surrounding valleys and routeways.
Coast to Coast Path
Modern walkers crossing Crosby Ravensworth Fell pass through a landscape that preserves more than 3,000 years of human history.
Limestone Pavement Crosby Ravensworth
Carol pauses beside a solitary thorn tree growing amongst the limestone pavement. Formed by glacial erosion and centuries of weathering, the exposed limestone is broken into blocks and fissures known as clints and grikes, creating one of the most distinctive landscapes on the Coast to Coast route.
Wicker Street Roman Road
A section of limestone pavement lies beside Wicker Street Roman Road as it descends towards the fertile lands around Oddendale. For nearly two millennia this route has provided a passage across Crosby Ravensworth Fell, linking the high limestone plateau with the valleys and settlements beyond.
Hiking the Coast to Coast trail guide
Hiking the Coast to Coast is a digitally enhanced eBook designed to accompany you on your journey along the Coast to Coast path. Available on Apple Books for iPhone, iPad and Mac, the guide includes:
• Mapping with interactive features
• Step-by-step route directions
• Hundreds of colour photographs
• Route conditions in different weather
• Historical and cultural points of interest
Whether you’re planning your trip or already on the trail, it’s a practical and beautifully illustrated resource to carry with you.
