Woolfe Kennel cave shieling at Kennel Crags

Shielings are reasonably common in the uplands but frequently represent the only evidence for medieval settlement and farming practice here. Those examples which survive well and which help illustrate medieval land use in an area are considered to be nationally important.

The cave shieling at Kennel Crags is well preserved and retains significant archaeological deposits. It is a rare example of cave habitation at this time and will add to our knowledge and understanding of the wider Border settlement and economy during this period.

The monument includes a natural cavity formed by the slipping of a slab of rock from the face of the crags downslope and utilised as a shieling in medieval times. The habitable area measures 7m north west to south east by 2.5m and it is 1.7m high at its highest point. There is an entrance at the eastern end which opens into a small porch at a higher level than the main chamber. The southern limit of the main chamber was originally open, but low, and has now been blocked by rough dry stone walling. The chamber is relatively level with traces of paving slabs irregularly layed on an earth floor. Towards the western end of the chamber larger boulders suggest the possible site of a fireplace. Immediately above this fireplace there is a hole 0.5m square in the roof of the chamber and it is thought that this may have been used as a chimmney.