The Sculpture

The Coldstones Cut is public art on a monumental scale. Created as a sculptural response to the Coldstones Quarry at Pateley Bridge, the sculpture is a maze of streets, pathways and platforms enclosed within massive stone walls.

At certain points, this immersive experience gives way to extraordinary views – either looking outwards over the stunning vistas of the Yorkshire Dales or downwards into the profoundly deep pit of the quarry, at the bottom of which 60-tonne trucks move about like small toys.

The sculpture invites reflection on the landscape around it – its industrial past, natural beauty, and the living presence of the working quarry.

Perched at 1,375 feet above sea level, The Coldstones Cut combines the curious conventions of a contemporary streetscape with the brute impressiveness of ancient stone block constructions. Visitors are free to explore its streets and winding paths, taking in the extraordinary vistas revealed from its platforms.

Only a visit to the Coldstones Cut can demonstrate the scale and splendour of the sculpture and its location. To get a taste of the Coldstones Cut experience you can view our gallery of images showing the construction of the sculpture and some of its outstanding features.

The Coldstones Cut Story

Coldstones Quarry, situated on the peak of Greenhow Hill, is one of the highest and deepest quarries in England. Despite its huge size, the quarry is hidden from view by its location and by a protective earth bund.

In 2006, following changes to the quarry boundaries, the decision was made to replace a simple existing viewing platform with something special that would last the test of time and would attract visitors in perpetuity.

With advice from the Henry Moore Institute, Nidderdale Visual Arts – a local voluntary arts organisation – partnered with Hanson Aggregates, then operators of the quarry, to offer a design commission to sculptor Andrew Sabin.

The project was developed over a 3 year period, during which the artistic content, the engineering and the build methodologies were resolved.

Consultation demonstrated a large amount of public support and a delivery team was established that included Harrogate Borough Council alongside The Nidderdale Plus Partnership (the community hub).

Planning permission was granted in 2009 and funding was obtained from Arts Council England and the Natural England Aggregates Levy. Construction commenced on a wild snowy day in March 2010 and the sculpture was officially opened by Dr. Penelope Curtis, Director of Tate Britain, on 16th September 2010.

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 have 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.

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.

Harrogate Borough Council has provided technical and management support to the project, overseeing the construction process and financial management.

Other organisations which provided practical advice and help are:-

The Henry Moore Foundation

The University Of Leeds Yorkshire Quarry Arts Project

Bewerley Parish Council

Funders and Factors

The development and construction of The Coldstones Cut was funded by the following bodies:-

Natural England; Aggregate Levy Sustainability Fund

National Lottery through Arts Council England – Yorkshire

Yorkshire Forward
Yorkshire Dales LEADER Programme
Renaissance Market Town Programme

Technical and Construction Work was undertaken by:-

Houseman & Falshaw Ltd
Harrogate – Building Contractors

Blue Sky Consultants
Harrogate – Structural Engineer/Lead Consultant

Michael Eyres Partnership LLP
Bradford – Quantity Surveyors

Your Visit

The Artist

The Book

Pateley Bridge & Nidderdale

Find us

Bewerley,
Harrogate
HG3 5JQ

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Opening Times

24 hours a day seven days a week all year round.

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