Bridestones Moor

Bridestones Moor is an important heritage site, notable for its many weird-shaped stones standing on an escarpment overlooking the Calder Valley. It is thought that the stones were worshipped by Ancient Britons in veneration of the spirits that reside within them.

This landscape was made famous by Ted Hughes, in his poem “Bridestones”, which features in “Remains of Elmet”.

The view of the landscape from this outcrop of rocks is truly magnificent in all directions, and the moor is a hotspot for rare animals and plants. Curlew, lapwing, red grouse, golden plover and other endangered bird species breed there in the spring. Four species of owls regularly hunt over the peatlands, along with the occasional red kite, hen harrier and peregrine falcon.

Bridestones Moor is Calderdale’s first community-owned nature reserve, and it is managed by Bridestones Rewilded, a not-for-profit Community Interest Company and professional group of naturalists, ecologists and members of the local community. Their vision is to enhance biodiversity at the site and restore the land for nature and people. You can support their work here.