Doubler Stones, Addingham Moorside

West Yorkshire Regionally Important Geological Site

Doubler Stone STATUS: RIGS
OTHER DESIGNATIONS:
COUNTY: West Yorkshire
DISTRICT: Bradford
OS GRID REF. SE 073 465
OS SHEET 1:50,000 Landranger 104 Leeds and Bradford
OS SHEET 1:25,000 Explorer 297 Lower Wharfedale and Washburn Valley
BGS 1:50,000 Sheet 69 Bradford (Solid and Drift Edition)
FIRST DESIGNATED by West Yorkshire RIGS Group in 1996
DATE OF MOST RECENT SURVEY Visited November 2007 by West Yorkshire Geology Trust
SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION produced by Neil Aitkenhead

SITE DESCRIPTION
The site contains exposures of the Doubler Stones Sandstone of Upper Carboniferous Namurian age which displays a range of structural and weathering features.
The two rock stacks contain well preserved cross bedded structures and areas of honeycomb weathering. The rock is a coarse, pebbly gritstone which forms the capstones of the stacks with underlying beds of friable material displaying extensive weathering, probably by sand-laden wind abrasion in a periglacial environment towards the end of the last (Devensian) glaciation.

HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIONS:

EDUCATIONAL VALUE:
The quarry has interesting geological features, while the Doubler Stones allow discussion of periglacial weathering processes. However, the site is not suitable for large groups as it does not lie on a footpath although it can be seen from the path 50m away.

AESTHETIC CHARACTERISTICS:
This is a spectacular site, with views to the south and west. The second rock stack is not seen from the track and only becomes apparent once the observer is at the same level as the top of the quarry.

ACCESS AND SAFETY:
It is possible to park on Lightbank Lane (SE 062 470). Walk south west along Lightbank Lane to SE 066 463; turn east following the farm access road to Doubler Stones. There is no access to the site by wheelchair.