In Baysdale Beck

Two stoops or gateposts mark a long-lost crossing of Baysdale Beck about 275 metres upstream of the modern-day ford at Hob Hole. The width between the post suggests a passage on foot and for pack horses only.

“Ploughman“, writing in 1908, observed that “the supports of an ancient bridge is still preserved, by the interweaving strength of the numerous roots of trees“¹A Smugglers’ Retreat. | Whitby Gazette | Friday 24 January 1908 | British Newspaper Archive’. 2022. Britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk <https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001103/19080124/045/0003> [accessed 27 September 2022].

He describes an 18th-century smugglers’ route “from a point not far from White Cross, near Lockwood Beck, from where it crosses the moor, and enters the enclosed land, not far from Commondale station, into enclosure known Sowley’s Intake, and crosses Commondale stream (or beck), quite close to an old untenanted house known Diving Duck (originally named Bleach Mill Farm). From thence it goes to Westgate Farm; then it enters on to Kildale Moor, and pursues a distance of about two miles, when it comes in contact with Baisdale Beck, about 300 yards above the bridge Hob Hole.”

After crossing the beck it climbed to the ruined house and enclosure known as Jane Frank or Gin Garth²NYM NP HER No: 3516, a place with a reputation as a smugglers’ den.

Adjacent to the gateposts is the site of a medieval bloomery although there is nothing to see³NYM NP HER No: 2479/80.

• 1
  A Smugglers’ Retreat. | Whitby Gazette | Friday 24 January 1908 | British Newspaper Archive’. 2022. Britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk <https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001103/19080124/045/0003> [accessed 27 September 2022]
• 2
  NYM NP HER No: 3516
• 3
  NYM NP HER No: 2479/80