Boston Spa Riverside Woods

West Yorkshire Local Geological Site

Reef in limestone next to River Wharfe STATUS: Local Geological Site
OTHER DESIGNATIONS: COUNTY: West Yorkshire
DISTRICT: Leeds OS GRID REF. SE 423 465 – 430 459 OS 1:50,000 Landranger 105 York and surrounding areas OS 1:25,000 Explorer 289 Leeds BGS 1:50,000 Sheet 70 Leeds
FIRST DESIGNATED West Yorkshire Geology Trust February 2010
DATE OF MOST RECENT SURVEY January 2010 by West Yorkshire Geology Trust
DESIGNATION SHEET UPDATED February 2010

SITE DESCRIPTION: Wooded cliffs on the south-west side of the River Wharfe, upstream of Thorp Arch Bridge, expose several places where Upper Permian Cadeby Formation dolostones (Lower Magnesian Limestone) can be seen. The dolostones include dolomite conglomerates and algal reefs draped by bedded dolomite sequences which are typical of the Wetherby Member of the Cadeby Formation. There are several crags and a quarry at the top of the cliffs which expose many features of interest, though most exposures are difficult to access.

HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIONS: Several quarries have been opened up at the top of the cliffs, presumably to extract building stone for use in Boston Spa.

EDUCATIONAL VALUE: The site is interesting for walkers using the main footpaths. It is not suitable for educational groups, because of the difficult access to crags on steep cliffs.

AESTHETIC CHARACTERISTICS: The woods are very attractive and views across the River Wharfe can be seen from the cliff top footpath though the trees.

ACCESS AND SAFETY: The geology of the river cliffs can be seen best from the eastern bank of the River Wharfe with binoculars, using the permissive footpath from Thorp Arch. Jackdaw Crag, at the foot of Deepdale, is accessible by footpath from Boston Spa and shows many interesting features. There is a permissive footpath running along the top of the cliff in Riverside Woods, from which excellent views across the river can be seen through gaps in the trees. There are no footpaths within the woods that allow access to old quarries and crags. The River Wharfe is deep and fast-flowing and groups should not attempt to climb down through the woods.