Beaumont Park, Huddersfield

Geological Sites | Leeds | Bradford | Calderdale | Kirklees | Wakefield

STATUS: Local Geological Site
OTHER DESIGNATIONS:
COUNTY: West Yorkshire
DISTRICT: Kirklees
OS GRID REF. SE 128 147
OS 1:50,000 Landranger 110 Sheffield and Huddersfield
OS 1:25,000 Explorer 288 Bradford and Huddersfield
BGS 1:50,000 Sheet 77 Huddersfield
FIRST DESIGNATED by West Yorkshire LGS Group in 1996
DATE OF MOST RECENT SURVEY November 2007 by West Yorkshire Geology
Trust
SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION produced by Ian Chisholm
DESIGNATION SHEET UPDATED August 2009

SITE DESCRIPTION: Exposures of Upper Carboniferous Namurian (Millstone Grit) Rough Rock and Rough Rock Flags are revealed in a line of former quarries in the grounds of Beaumont Park overlooking the Holme Valley. A series of exposed cliffs illustrate a range of sedimentary features including cross bedding, flaggy bedding, massive bedding and sections of fine fissile bedding. Areas of disturbed bedding can be found in some sections of rock. The upper cliff shows the Rough Rock, whereas the main rock face exposes the Rough Rock Flags. At the base of the main rock face siltstone can be seen inter-bedded with the sandstones. The shales below the Rough Rock Flags are inferred below the disused railway line. There is a sharp change of slope and springs are found below the embankment, with a pond just outside the designated site. The whole slope has been subject to soil creep and landslipping due to its geology (permeable sandstone over impermeable shale).

HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIONS: There is an excellent photo of the view from Beaumont Park towards Castle Hill in the Huddersfield and Halifax memoir 1930 p 52 (reference below). This memoir also mentions on p47 that this exposure was quarried and was laid out as public gardens which were opened in 1883. In July 1999 Beaumont Park was listed by English Heritage on the Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest.

EDUCATIONAL VALUE: The site is easily accessible for large groups of students to observe sedimentary rocks containing a range of structures and weathering features. Beaumont Park has an active Friends of Beaumont Park Group, with a visitor centre near to the gatehouse, which is open at weekends and is also available for educational groups during the week.

AESTHETIC CHARACTERISTICS: Excellent views over the Holme Valley towards the Coal Measures escarpment of Castle Hill. The park is well tended with little graffiti on the rock faces. The paths are in need of repair in places.

ACCESS AND SAFETY: All exposures are easily reached from paths descending the slopes of the park. Some sections are railed off for safety. Large areas of the cliff face are overgrown with ivy and are so difficult to see. Parking is available near the park entrance on Beaumont Park Road. There is little evidence of recent rock falls or obvious loose boulders. The railway cutting is extremely muddy as it has no tarmac path and is used as a public bridleway. Wheelchair access is possible along most of the higher paths but some paths have been damaged and would need resurfacing. The park has many sets of steps but there is generally an alternative ramped access path, although the lower parts of the site are not accessible except by steps.