Mallerstang

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Map sources for Mallerstang at grid reference NY782015

Mallerstang is a dale and civil parish in the extreme east of Cumbria at the head of the upper Eden Valley. Originally part of Westmorland, it lies about 6 km south of Kirkby Stephen. The eastern edge of the parish borders on North Yorkshire and the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

It is bounded by Wild Boar Fell to the west, and Mallerstang Edge to the east. On top of Mallerstang Edge is the summit of High Seat. The river rises as Red Gill Beck, and takes the name Eden below Hell Gill Force.

The dale is associated with Lady Anne Clifford, and the ancient road to the east of the river is known as Lady Anne's Highway. St Mary's Church in Outhgill in the centre of the parish was restored by Lady Anne Clifford in 1664.

Pendragon Castle (also restored by Lady Anne) in the north of the parish is supposed to have been built by Uther Pendragon, father of King Arthur. He is said to have tried to divert the river to provide a moat, but to have failed: Let Uther Pendragon do what he can: / Eden will run where Eden ran.

The Settle-Carlisle Railway passes through the dale, descending from Aisgill Summit. The Ais Gill rail crash happened here in 1913.

[edit] Mallerstang Parish Meetings

These are held three times a year, in March, June and November, and are open to all residents of the civil parish.

The parish precept for the coming year is agreed at the November meeting. Officers are elected at the Annual Parish Meeting, held on the Thursday nearest to 25th March; (past residents who have died during the year are commemorated at this meeting). The parish accounts are presented at the June meeting, and this meeting also includes an annual report on the historic Mallerstang Charities.

See below for a link to the Mallerstang Parish Meeting webpages.