Harden Moor facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Harden Moor
Harden Moor looking eastwards towards Airedale with a former quarry in the foreground
Highest point
Elevation	285 m (935 ft)
Dimensions
Area	228 acres (92 ha)
Geography
Location	West Yorkshire, United Kingdom
OS grid	SE075390
Topo map	OS Landranger 104

Harden Moor is a large area of open land in West Yorkshire, England. It lies just north of the village of Harden. This moorland is a mix of heather, woodlands, and old quarry sites. It's surrounded by Airedale to the east and the Worth Valley to the north. To the west, you'll find Catstones Moor and the village of Cullingworth.

Harden Moor has a long and interesting past. People have used this land for thousands of years. It has ancient burial sites, old Roman roads, and was even used for military training. Today, it's a popular spot for outdoor fun.

Discovering Harden Moor's Past

Harden Moor has a rich history that goes back a very long time. It was once much larger than it is today. Over the centuries, its boundaries have changed.

Ancient Times: Bronze Age and Romans

The history of Harden Moor begins in the Bronze Age. This was about 4,000 to 2,700 years ago. You can still see evidence of this time on the moor. There are several cairns, which are piles of stones. These cairns were used as burial mounds by people living here long ago. Historic England has listed these cairns to protect them.

Before the Romans arrived, a group called the Brigantes lived here. They used a large rock outcrop, now called Altar Rock, as a special place for their religious ceremonies. You can find unique cup and ringlet marks carved into this rock. These carvings are ancient symbols.

The Romans also left their mark on Harden Moor. A Roman Road crosses the moor from southwest to northeast. This road was part of a bigger route. It connected Manchester to Ilkley, which was a Roman fort called Olicana. Another Roman road also passed through Harden village. You can still see parts of this old road near the Guide Inn pub.

Later History: Battles and Changes

During the English Civil War, there was a curved trench on Harden Moor. This trench, called Fairfax Entrenchment, might have been a defensive spot. It's believed that Thomas Fairfax, a famous general, ordered it dug. Even though there's no clear record of a battle here, the area was left untouched for a long time. People thought fallen soldiers might be buried there.

In 1745, the Jacobite army may have crossed Harden Moor. They were on their way to Preston. Later, between 1816 and 1855, the moorland was divided up. This process is called enclosure. It meant that common land was turned into private fields.

World War II Training

Like other moorlands nearby, Harden Moor was used for military training during World War II. Soldiers practiced here, and sometimes empty shell casings were left behind. The Home Guard used to meet in a hut on the nearby St Ives Estate. They would search for enemy parachutists on the moor.

After the war, there were still dangers. Some unexploded bombs and mortars were left on the moor. In 1945, some teenagers found one. It exploded, causing injuries. This led to efforts to clear the moor of any remaining dangerous items.

Quarrying on the Moor

For over 300 years, people have been quarrying on Harden Moor. This means they dug out stone from the ground. The sandstone from these quarries was very important. It was used to build many famous buildings in places like Saltaire. The last quarry stopped working around 2012.

Altar Rock: A Special Viewpoint

Altar Rock, also known as Druid's Altar, is a sandstone rock that stands high above the Aire Valley. It offers amazing views of nearby towns like Bingley and Keighley. The famous writer Benjamin Disraeli visited this rock in 1844. He was so impressed that he mentioned a similar rocky spot in his novel Sybil.

Altar Rock has always been seen as part of Harden Moor. Even though it's now part of the St Ives Estate, many older maps show it as part of the moor.

Nature and Wildlife on Harden Moor

Harden Moor is a typical South Pennine moorland. It has gritstone and sandstone rocks beneath the soil. The moor has many springs and wet, marshy areas. Two streams, Deep Cliff Hole and Midgram Beck, flow through the moor. They eventually join Harden Beck.

Deepcliffe Wood is a small valley on the moor. It's a remnant of a very old forest. This wood is known for its oak trees and wildlife. You might spot badgers, woodpeckers, bats, and cuckoos living here.

Heather and Bees

The heather on Harden Moor is very healthy. It's free from diseases. Because of this, heather from Harden Moor has been used to help other moorlands in Yorkshire. For example, Ilkley Moor was re-seeded with heather from Harden Moor after a big fire in 2006.

The heather and brambles on Harden Moor are also home to a special bee. It's called the tormentil mining bee. This bee digs burrows to live in. Its population has been decreasing, so the bees on Harden Moor are very important for their survival.

Fun Things to Do on Harden Moor

Harden Moor is common land, which means everyone can use it. It's a great place for outdoor activities.

• Walking and Horse Riding: Many paths cross the moor, perfect for a walk or a horse ride.
• Biking: Motorbikers and mountain bikers use the moor for trials and competitions. The old quarry workings make for challenging courses.
• Orienteering: Local clubs often hold orienteering events here. This is where you use a map and compass to find your way.
• Model Aircraft Flying: On the northern edge of the moor, there's a special grassy area. Here, people can fly their motorized model aircraft safely. This has been a popular activity since at least 1935.

From Harden Moor, you can enjoy amazing views. You can see across Airedale, towards the moors above Cullingworth and Denholme, and south towards the hills above Wilsden. The highest point nearby is on Catstones Moor, where an old Trig Point stands at 959 feet high.

Getting to Harden Moor

Harden Moor is an open country parkland, so you can visit it all year round.

There's a bridleway that runs along the northern edge of the moor. This path crosses Keighley Road and leads into Altar Lane. You can follow it past Druid's Altar and down to Bingley. This path is great for walkers and mountain bikers.

The moor is bordered by local roads on its west and east sides. These roads have places where you can park your car. You can also reach Harden Moor on foot from Hainworth Shaw in the north, the St Ives Estate in the east, and from pathways through Ryecroft and Harden in the south.

Images for kids

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  Former quarry workings on Harden Moor near Keighley in West Yorkshire

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  Former Trig Point site on Catstones Moor near to Keighley in West Yorkshire

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  Bronze Age Cairn on Harden Moor near to Keighley in West Yorkshire

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  Take off and landing area for motorised model aircraft on Harden Moor near to Keighley in West Yorkshire

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  Roman road on Harden Moor in Keighley, West Yorkshire