Show on mapThe trough which is fed by a nearby spring has featured on all OS maps since the first edition in the 1850s, although it now seems to have been dropped from the most modern mapping.
It looks to have been relatively recently cleared of vegetation and repaired, but I can find no information on it.
And by the creator of Moorsholm Docks perhaps ?
Stanhope White mentions this trough and another on Castleton Rigg as being troughs used by the moorland coal trade. Coal was delivered to the limekilns and burnt lime was brought back.
I should have mentioned that they were used for the horses who initially carried panniers and later pulled carts.