Dramatic Yorkshire sculpture and epic vistas, on an industrial scale!
Coldstones cut is an impressive sculpture in an isolated position atop Greenhow Hill near Pately Bridge, in beautiful Nidderdale. It is the biggest and highest public art installation in Yorkshire.
The monumental scale of the construction really needs to be seen to be believed. Created by the artist Andrew Sabin to celebrate the spectacular views and industrial heritage of this landscape, it is truly awe inspiring. It is almost impossible to describe or do it justice with photographs!
Sitting 1,375 feet above sea level, once inside the views from the Coldstones Cut are stunning; visitors can walk right into the huge stone structure, along the “street” and up the spiral paths into two symmetrical viewing platforms designed to to fully exploit the extraordinary panoramas. It is a striking mix of both old and new, rural and industrial – combining ancient stone blocks with a contemporary streetscape, industrial works and stunning Yorkshire views. Although opinions may be split on first approach to the artwork, which bizarrely feels like you’re walking into a short one way street in the middle of the moors, but once inside it is undoubtedly impressive.
On the one hand the whole of Nidderdale is laid out before you, living up to it’s designation as an Area of outstanding natural beauty. The spectacular Yorkshire views compete with an imposing modern stone structure.
This is all juxtaposed with the industrial splendour of Coldstones Quarry, which is still in use and among the highest quarries in England. The enormous quarry hole and limestone quarrying operation is actually completely hidden from sight, even within the walls of the structure, and it is only once you emerge into the viewing areas at the back that it’s true splendour is fully revealed. I wouldn’t describe it as beautiful but it provides a surprising and absolutely stunning backdrop.
From the Coldstones Cut you can watch the massive quarrying operations – if they are working – including the blasting, extraction and crushing of rock, with massive vehicles transversing the steep roads cut into the sides. You can also see the geological strata which make up the quarry and which provide the raw material for its products.
The sculpture is such that the kids can run up and down the alley ways and through the spiralling passageways up to the two viewing platforms, it is perfect for them to explore and they love it here. You may need to establish some ground rules with the more adventurous (wayward) about not climbing on the walls as there are some steep drops. If you have a vehicle enthusiast it’s all the more exciting, watching the huge diggers and dumpers at work.
You can also find fossils in the rocks and check out the distance to various local and world destinations marked on a navigation bar in one of the viewing areas.
Toft Gate lime kiln is situated next to the car park and is definitely worth an investigation. It is largely intact and an interesting piece of Nidderdale’s industrial heritage. The long horizontal flue which took fumes away from the workers to the chimney is still standing. The information boards explain the 19th century lime industry and give an effective impression of what the site might have been like in days gone by. The kids love exploring the works, particularly inside the long tunnel-like flue.
The Coldstones Cut is situated directly off the B6265, 2 miles outside Pateley Bridge. Parking is just off the road at the Toft Gate Lime Kiln car park (Brown sign). From here a 600m footpath climbs up the hill to the sculpture. It is a well maintained gravel path but suitable footwear and clothing should be worn as the location is very exposed and the weather can be harsh and change suddenly. I’ve been loads of times and never actually been anything other than freezing cold, pelted with hail and almost blown off my feet.
There is no admission charge, parking is free and the Lime Kiln and Coldstones Cut are always open to the public. However, there are no amenities on the site.
A few minutes down the hill towards Pateley Bridge is Toft Gate Barn Cafe, although it hadn’t yet re-opened following lockdown as of yesterday.
Nidderdale is home to the picturesque town of Pateley Bridge with a nice park and playground, an array of independent shops, including a pancake house, great butchers and the oldest sweet shop in England. There are loads of walks in the area as well as Brimham Rocks (NT), Fountains Abbey (NT), Birchfield Farm ice cream, How Stean Gorge and Studfold Farm with it’s enchanting trail and lovely family campsite.
We enjoyed an ice cream from McKenzie’s Smokehouse in Blubberhouses on the way home. I can also highly recommend the shop, stocked full of quality meat and smoked fish! It’s well set up for social distancing and a great place to buy fantastic local produce.
For something surprisingly different and a quirky day out head to The Coldstones Cut in Nidderdale.
