Stoodley Pike facts for kids
Stoodley Pike is a tall hill in the south Pennines, located in West Yorkshire, northern England. It's famous for the impressive Stoodley Pike Monument at its top. This monument stands about 121 feet (37 meters) tall and can be seen from far away, dominating the moors above the Calder Valley and the town of Todmorden.
The monument is close to the villages of Mankinholes and Lumbutts. A local architect named James Green designed it in 1854, and it was finished in 1856, right after the Crimean War ended.
The monument you see today replaced an older one. The first monument was started in 1814 to celebrate the defeat of Napoleon and when Paris surrendered. It was finished in 1815, after the famous Battle of Waterloo. However, this first monument fell down in 1854 because of a lightning strike and many years of bad weather.
The new monument was built a little further back from the edge of the hill to be safer. In 1889, during some repair work, a lightning conductor was added. This has helped protect the tower, even though it has been hit by lightning many times since then. There are even signs that some kind of structure might have been on this spot before the first monument was built!
Stoodley Pike Monument is about 2 miles (3.2 km) southwest of Hebden Bridge and about 2.5 miles (4 km) east of Todmorden. It was officially recognized as a Grade II listed building in 1984, meaning it's an important historical structure.
Contents
What the Monument Says
The words carved above the entrance are a bit worn out and covered with moss, but you can still read them. They tell the story of the monument:
- It's a peace monument.
- People paid for it together.
- It started in 1814 to celebrate Paris surrendering to the Allies.
- It was finished after the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, when peace returned.
- The old monument fell down in 1854, on the same day Russia declared war.
- The new monument was rebuilt in 1856 when peace was restored.
- It was repaired, and a lightning conductor was added in 1889.
Visiting Stoodley Pike
Stoodley Pike is a great place for outdoor activities!
How to Get There
You can reach the monument by walking along the Pennine Way or other clear public footpaths. The moorland around it is "access land," which means you are allowed to walk there. You can't drive or cycle right up to the monument, but many mountain bikers do ride the trails nearby.
The Pike is on Langfield Common, and Calderdale Council looks after it. Langfield Common is a real moor and is also a special scientific site because of its unique nature.
Inside the Monument
Inside the Stoodley Pike Monument, there's a spiral staircase with 39 steps. You enter from the north side. During repairs in 1889, a metal grille was put at the top step. This lets in more light, so only a few steps are dark. There are no windows inside. The highest point you can reach is a balcony on the west side, which is about 40 feet (12 meters) above the ground.
Activities and Nearby Places
Because it's easy to reach by footpaths, Stoodley Pike is a popular spot for hikers and fell-runners. It's close to the Mankinholes Youth Hostel, The Shepherd’s Rest, and the Top Brink pub. Just below the monument, there's a housing area called Harvelin Park. From there, it's an easy 30-minute walk to the Pike.
Many fell races (running races over hills) include Stoodley Pike in their routes. These races are often organized by Todmorden Harriers, like the Noonstone, Hebden Bridge, Shepherd's Skyline, and the Stoodley Pike Fell race.
You can easily see Stoodley Pike Monument from many miles away, even from places like Beacon Hill in Halifax, West Yorkshire or from Queensbury in Bradford.
In recent years, the entrance to the tower has been repaved, and a seat has been added southwest of the monument for visitors to rest.
Images for kids
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Mid-distance
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A closer view of the monument
