Geological Sites | Leeds
| Bradford | Calderdale
| Kirklees | Wakefield
 STATUS:
Local Geological Site
OTHER DESIGNATIONS: Local Nature Reserve
COUNTY: West Yorkshire
DISTRICT: Calderdale
OS GRID REF. SD 914 233
OS 1:50,000 Landranger 103 Blackburn and Burnley
OS 1:25,000 Explorer OL 21 South Pennines
BGS 1:50,000 Sheet 76 Rochdale
FIRST DESIGNATED by West Yorkshire LGS Group in 1996
MOST RECENT SURVEY West Yorkshire Geology Trust December 2007
DESIGNATION SHEET UPDATED August 2009
SITE DESCRIPTION
Gorpley Clough is a very attractive, steep sided valley, into which
the river has incised a
gorge with many small waterfalls. There is a footpath which runs up
the clough as far as
Gorpley Reservoir and returns on the north side of the valley. Three
resistant beds of
sandstone, divided by beds of shale, cut cross the clough and form
the waterfalls. There
are some coal adits on the path on the northern side of the clough.
HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIONS:
Disused adits can be found on the northern slopes of the clough where
the Holcombe
Brook Coal has been mined in previous times
 EDUCATIONAL
VALUE:
The valley is suitable for small groups of geology students or
interested adults to study
the depositional sequences of the Millstone Grit Series.
AESTHETIC CHARACTERISTICS:
A fine example of a Pennine clough containing deciduous woodland
with many species
of flowers, mosses and ferns. The views from the top of the valley
towards the moors are
spectacular.
ACCESS AND SAFETY:
There is a small car park at SD 918 237 adjacent to the track
leading up to the clough.
Recent footpath improvements by Calderdale Council Countryside
Unit have improved
access and safety, although the bridges can be very slippery.
Care is required on the
steep slopes in the clough. The site is not accessible by wheelchair.
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