Bakestones are flat stones that can be placed on or next to a fire or stove to cook cakes of various kinds. In Wales, A bakestone, 'maen' in Welsh 'gradell' in the north of the county and 'planc' is the name for the cast iron or steel griddle used for cakes , especially in South Wales. The Northern tradition in areas such as Saddleworth was for oatcakes (a sort of hard, long lasting oaten biscuit).