Geological Sites | Leeds
| Bradford | Calderdale
| Kirklees | Wakefield
 STATUS: RIGS
OTHER DESIGNATIONS:
COUNTY: West Yorkshire
DISTRICT: Bradford
OS GRID REF. SE 145 388 to SE 152 392
OS SHEET 1:50,000 Landranger 104 Leeds and Bradford
OS SHEET: 1:25,000 Explorer 228 - Bradford and Huddersfield
BGS 1:50,000 Geological Sheet 69 - Bradford (Solid and Drift Edition)
FIRST DESIGNATED by West Yorkshire RIGS Group in 1996
DATE OF MOST RECENT SURVEY West Yorkshire Geology Trust in November 2007
SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION produced by Neil Aitkenhead
SITE DESCRIPTION
 Exposures of Rough Rock and Rough Rock Flag sandstones at the top of
the Millstone Grit Group, extend for approximately 1km above Baildon
Green, forming part of a fine escarpment overlooking Airedale. The Rough
Rock is interpreted by Bristow as a braided river sheet sandstone deposit.
Baildon Bank Quarry (SE 150 390):
The extensive exposures of Rough Rock illustrate a range of structures
including cross bedding, massive bedding, pebble horizons and sections
with much finer bedding. The rock is generally coarse grained and weathered
to a red/orange tint. Narrow bands of finer silts and shales within the
massive bedding show differential weathering. Fallen blocks of rock contain
fossilised plant remains. Bristow, in the article which is referred to
below, mentions that the exposure can be divided into two units. ‘In
the lower part, beds dip towards the west in bedsets up to 8m thick.
Sedimentary structures within the bedsets change from sets of trough
cross-stratification to down-current-dipping sets of cross-stratification
along strike. In contrast, the overlying cross-stratified sandstones
have a palaeocurrent direction towards the south.’
Baildon Green Quarry (SE 145 388):
A partly infilled quarry exposes the boundary between the Rough Rock
and the underlying Rough Rock Flags. This site well illustrates the 2
different types of bedding. Thick cross bedded sets up to 2m thick on
thinner sets with shale, sandstone and siltstone interbeds.
HISTORICAL
ASSOCIATIONS:
These quarries produced flagstones, kerb stones, lintels and building
stones for the local area. Many smaller Rough Rock quarries in the
district have been filled in.
EDUCATIONAL VALUE:
These are suitable sites for studying depositional structures and the
quarrying of building stone. The excursion may be extended by visiting
the Rough Rock at Load Pit Beck in Shipley Glen (SE 128 394) and the
Lower Coal Measures outlier on Baildon Moor.
 AESTHETIC CHARACTERISTICS:
The top of the ridge is a good vantage point for views over the Aire
Valley. Noon Nick glacial meltwater channel can be seen to the south-west.
ACCESS
AND SAFETY:
Park along Green Lane (SE 152 390) and follow any one of numerous
footpaths ascending Baildon Bank. In addition, there is access to
both quarries
from a footpath that runs along the top of the quarry and is accessible
from West Lane, Baildon.
The area in front of the quarry face is grassed allowing good access
to the rock face. Flooded workings behind the main exposures are dangerous
and should be avoided. Several mine entrances have been blasted to
prevent access. Parts of the site are used for climbing. This is a
HARD HAT SITE.
The footpaths are not made up for wheelchair use.
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