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All the United Kingdom England North Yorkshire Coldstones Cut
AO Edited

Coldstones Cut

A dramatic sculpture high up in Yorkshire with vistas on an industrial scale.

North Yorkshire, England

Added By
Claire Donkin
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Inside Coldstones Cut.   Bill Boaden/cc by-sa 2.0
Inside Coldstones Cut.   Bill Boaden/cc by-sa 2.0
  Tim Heaton/cc by-sa 2.0
  Donkers / Atlas Obscura User
View of the quarry.   Donkers / Atlas Obscura User
  Donkers / Atlas Obscura User
The entrance to Coldstones Cut.   Donkers / Atlas Obscura User
  Donkers / Atlas Obscura User
  Donkers / Atlas Obscura User
  Donkers / Atlas Obscura User
View of RAF Menwith Hill   Jooniur
The structure from the base of the hill   katielou106 / Atlas Obscura User
  Razer / Atlas Obscura User
The nearby lime kilns ruins   katielou106 / Atlas Obscura User
  Razer / Atlas Obscura User
  Donkers / Atlas Obscura User
  Donkers / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Located atop Greenhow Hill near Pately Bridge in Nidderdale, Coldstones Cut is the largest and highest public art installation in Yorkshire. The monumental scale of this construction needs to be seen to be believed. 

This impressive sculpture was created by the artist Andrew Sabin to celebrate the spectacular views and industrial heritage of the Yorkshire Dales landscape, and it is truly awe-inspiring. At 1,375 feet above sea level, the views from inside the installation are stunning.

Visitors can walk into the huge stone structure, along the “streets” between giant stone walls, and up the spiral paths into viewing platforms designed to fully exploit the extraordinary vistas.

On the one hand, the whole of Nidderdale is laid out before you, designated an area of outstanding natural beauty. The mysterious golf ball domes of RAF Menwith Hill in the distance add an otherworldly quality. The landscape is juxtaposed with the industrial splendor of Coldstones Quarry, which is still in use and among the highest quarries in England in elevation. 

Despite its enormous size, this quarry hole and limestone mining operation are actually completely hidden from sight, even within the walls of the structure, and only hints of it are visible from the road. It is only once you emerge into the viewing platforms that its true scale is fully revealed. 

Related Tags

Installations Art Landscapes Quarries Panoramas Sculptures

Know Before You Go

The Coldstones Cut is situated directly off the B6265, 2 miles outside Pateley Bridge. Plentiful parking is provided just off the road at the Toft Gate Lime Kiln parking (brown sign directs you from the road). From here a 500-meter footpath climbs up the hill to the sculpture. Suitable footwear and clothing should be worn as the location is very exposed and the weather can be harsh and change suddenly. The path is not tarmac but pushchair friendly - although steep in places. Admission is free and the Coldstones Cut is always open to the public.

The Toft Gate lime kiln is situated next to the Coldstones Cut car park and is definitely worth exploring on your return. The ruined kilns and workings are clearly visible, and there are interesting information boards detailing the operation.

Community Contributors

Added By

Donkers

Edited By

jooniur, Meg, katielou106, Razer

  • jooniur
  • Meg
  • katielou106
  • Razer

Published

September 17, 2018

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Coldstones Cut
B6265
Greenhow Hill
North Yorkshire, England
United Kingdom
54.073258, -1.807594
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Nearby Places

Oldest Sweet Shop in England

Pateley Bridge, England

miles away

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miles away

Bolton Strid

Yorkshire, England

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire

England

Places 20
Stories 2

Nearby Places

Oldest Sweet Shop in England

Pateley Bridge, England

miles away

Brimham Rocks

North Yorkshire, England

miles away

Bolton Strid

Yorkshire, England

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire

England

Places 20
Stories 2

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