The Quarry 2 | The Coldstones Cut

The Quarry

Coldstones Quarry, situated on Greenhow Hill at 1400 feet above sea level, is one of the highest quarries in Britain. Several small limestone quarries operated around Greenhow over the last two centuries and in the early 1900s the surrounding hills were dominated by stone quarries. Gradually these closed until Coldstones became the last working quarry in the area. Operated by Hanson, a member of the Heidelberg Cement Group, it provides aggregates and asphalt for major construction projects across the U.K.

The quarry currently covers an area of about 30 hectares. It is worked on 6 benches, 15-18m high, to a depth of 300m O.D. at the base of the quarry.

Coldstones provides an average of 700,000 tons of aggregate each year, and supplies building materials into West and North Yorkshire. From the Coldstones Cut you can see the quarrying operations, including the blasting, extraction and crushing of rock. You can also see the geological strata which make up the quarry and which provide the raw material for its products. The quarry has an estimated life of 15-20 years, and after that time it is anticipated that it will be allowed to green over and return to nature.

Coldstones Quarry has achieved both a 5 Star Environmental Award from the Quarry Products Association and the Harrogate Borough Council Special Award for Environmental Excellence, in recognition of educational work with local schools and its active support of the local heritage.

Industrial history in Nidderdale

Pateley Bridge was built on industry, particularly quarrying, lead mining and brewing and the ancillary trades which supported this industry. Lead mining had been a traditional industry in Nidderdale for hundreds of years and much evidence of this activity remains.

In the Victorian era industry expanded and the arrival of the railways brought new opportunities to export the products of Nidderdale to the wider world. Mills, churches and schools were built as part of this expansion.

In the late 19th and early 20th century Nidderdale was transformed by the building of the reservoirs to supply water to the rapidly growing Bradford. The magnificent dam constructions of Gouthwaite, Angram and Scar in Upper Nidderdale are significant features of the landscape.

The Nidderdale Museum in the old Victorian Workhouse has a wealth of information on the industrial history of the area and is well worth a visit.

There are also several walks in the area based on its industrial past. For further information on these walks please visit visitnidderdaleaonb.com/nidderdale-15
For information on the history of Greenhow please visit:
greenhow-hill.org.uk

Project Partners

The Coldstones Cut was a collaborative project between the following organisations:-

Hanson is one of the largest suppliers of heavy building materials to the construction industry and part of the Heidelberg Cement Group.

Nidderdale Visual Arts is a community group formed in 2004 involved in developing a higher profile for the visual arts in Nidderdale, and supporting both professional and amateur artists.

Nidderdale Plus is a community regeneration partnership which supports economic and community development and encourages local communities to take greater ownership in shaping their future.