Woodland is neither a town, village, hamlet or chapelry. Its just a rather pleasant, broad valley of scattered homes.
As many visitors will be aware, it is one of the Lakeland's richest area for prehistoric remains. Various Bronze Age field systems and a mediaeval homestead have been discovered. The 'Giants Grave' reputed to be the last resting place of one of a family of huge men...though in truth its much more likely to be a Bronze Age barrow.
Just below is the simple church built in 1865, though it is believed to stand on the foundations of a much earlier one. Close to the church is Monks Walk, a bridle way which leads to Torver. In the past it would have been used, as the name impllies, by the monks of Furness Abbey in the Middle Ages, and in addition corpses were brought this way for burial...in fact between Bridgend and Hawes is a ruin known as Nether Bolton, said to have been an inn where the funeral parties would have rested, and refreshed themselves.
In the 17th century there was a forge here, and a bloomery...remains of which can still be seen.
|