Coldstones Cut Sculpture

  Coldstones Cut near Pateley Bridge is an excellent example of a piece of sculpture on a grand scale – and well worth a visit. Not only is it something interesting to see but it can also be walked around, explored and viewed from many different angles. Designed by Andrew Sabin this massive piece of construction can be seen from the main road and as I have driven past many times I thought I’d stop and have a look. The overall sculpture is quite a simple concept, the tall walls are constructed of random stone and the use of repetition throughout is a good lesson in the use of materials in garden design – often in garden design homeowners are worried about using the same materials throughout a project. One of the striking parts of the sculpture is the long tunnel-like entrance which I assume is a reference back to the days of the lead mining that took place at Greenhow. The entrance is quite eerie and does make one feel quite small when walking through! The views from Coldstones Cut are superb. The views are not only of the surrounding countryside over Pateley Bridge and Nidderdale but also over the sculpture itself. There is also a great view into the working quarry.     Further down the hill below the sculpture is the amazing Toft Gate lime kiln. As far as lime kilns go this is fantastic and is a major piece of thought and construction to make something that works and creates a finished product for the land. Finally, at the Coldstones Cut there is a compass to show me the way home, thankfully not far!