Local geological site guides

There are a number of geological guides available for the Leeds district, written by the Leeds Geological Association, West Yorkshire Geology Trust or other local groups. A selection of most of these guides are presented below. A PDF of each guide can be downloaded by clicking on its name. 

• Baildon Moor – a walk around Baildon Moor to see several large Rough Rock quarries, exposures of the Coal Measures Group sandstones and mudstones, the Listeri Marine Band and fine examples of the mining history of the hill.
• Boston Spa Riverside Cliffs Geology Trail – A guided walk covering the fascinating geology of the Permian Cadeby Formation limestones around Boston Spa. Please note sites 6, 7 and 8 on the leaflet are not currently accessible due to footpath issues.
• Gledhow Valley – Gledhow Valley is designated as a Local Geological Site. This document is the designation form for the site produced by the West Yorkshire Geology Trust and gives an overview of the features of interest of the site.
• Ilkley Moor Geology and History Walk Guide – A leaflet for the guided walk around Ilkley Moor undertaken by Leeds Geological Association in May 2019. The guide provides a map of the route and explains the range of features of interest which can be seen along the way which map the evolution of Ilkley Moor, including quarries, tidal laminites, glacial features and prehistoric markings.
• Middleton Park Mining Trail – A leaflet produced by Leeds City Council which details the mining trail within the historic and beautfiul Middleton Park woods.
• NE Leeds Scarcroft Hill, Hetchell Woods and Thorner – Produced by Leeds Geological Association, this leaflet outlines a walk through woodlands, fields and villages where excellent exposures of Carboniferous and Permian rocks explain the geological history of the Leeds area.
• Otley Chevin Geology Trail – A guided walk leaflet produced by the West Yorkshire Geology Trust, Leeds Geological Association and the Friends of Otley Chevin. It is an enjoyable walk through beautiful countryside, and highlights the great diversity of geology which can be seen in a very small area, including some globally unique and important features.
• Penistone Hill Geology Trail – Penistone Hill Geology Trail guides the reader around the geological and mining history of this hill near Haworth.
• Prince of Wales Park Geology Walk – Prince of Wales Park in Bingley holds easily accessible exposures of the Rough Rock Flags and Rough Rock in an old quarry. This leaflet guides the reader through sites which show the history of this rock and the environment it was formed in, along with examples of imprints of Carboniferous plant fossils.
• Roundhay Park Geology Trail – A famous local geology trail within a famous municipal park! The leaflet outlines the key features of interest along this trail and how these show a snapshot of the geological history of the Leeds area. This guided walk open to all is run by Leeds Geological Association several times a year, with times advertised on the LGA website.
• St Chad’s Church. Geology Trail. Far Headingley – Written by John Varker of the Leeds Geological Association, this guide shows the reader around St Chad’s Chruch in Headingley, discussing the history of the church, the geology of the church and the types and history of the wide range of different stones used within its graveyard.

Please note that these are guides and that any access permissions etc. must be identified prior to undertaking any visit. It should also be noted that paths, access and exposures change over time so please bear this in mind when using these guides. While most of these sites are on public footpaths and within public areas please ensure that you are suitably equipped for the conditions and that people are aware of your visit.

Further details of Local Geological Sites within the Leeds area and throughout West Yorkshire can be found at the West Yorkshire Geology Trust website.