Geological Sites | Leeds
| Bradford | Calderdale
| Kirklees | Wakefield
 STATUS: RIGS
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 RIGS Group in 1996
DATE OF MOST RECENT SURVEY November 2007 by West Yorkshire Geology Trust
SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION produced by Ian Chisholm
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 RIGS. The
whole slope has been subject to soil creep and landslipping due to its
geology (permeable sandstone over impermeable shale). It is proposed
that the RIGS should be extended to cover the base of the slope and the
Rough Rock Flags in the railway cutting. A new map is attached.
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.
 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.
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