Appleby History > History Tour > Mawby's Lane
Mawby's Lane
Mawby's Lane is the village's central road, crossing the stream and linking some of the main community buildings: the Black Horse Inn is at one end and the Church at the other. In the centre is the village shop and the Moat House drive. Sunken over the centuries by the tread of men and cattle, Mawby's Lane still has the feel of an ancient track with its largely unpaved verges and the long hedges marking the boundary of the Moat House land. Other buildings of note include the Misses Moore's Alms Houses, established in 1839, and Rock House, a privately owned house which shows clearly the effect of the sinking road level over the years.
The lane was at one time known as Cow Lane, which explains the current name of the cottage opposite Rock House - Cow Lane Cottage. At the time of the 1841 census it was Mowbys Lane (ref: In Focus 22: The 1841 Census Part IV)
 |
The Misses Moore Almshouses Click for larger view |
 |
An old picture of the view from the back of Cow Lane Cottage (on the right) with the Moat House (left) and the church (centre) Click for larger view |
 |
Mawby's Lane Stores and Post Office. This picture was taken before the red post box visible in the wall was blocked up and a larger, new post box put up on the opposite side of the road. The old post box with the imprint 'K G' (King George) has been preserved, but painted black so it will not be used by mistake. |
 Click for larger view |
Mawby's Lane falls steeply down from Top Street to the stream, then rises back up again to the Church. The picture opposite labelled Church Hill is a view from Mawby's Lane near the church looking towards the Moat House. This view of the gatehouse of the old manor is now completed obscured by trees and hedges.
More on the Layout of Appleby's Lanes
- In Focus 5: A Planned Village, Richard Dunmore
>> Next Stop on the Tour: The Moat House