Home
Os grid reference SD.993237. The Rudstoop Stone is located about 2 miles north-west of Cragg Vale on the southern flank of Bell House Moor, near Hebden Bridge. The stone now lies embedded into the ground in the corner of a field by a country lane just a little north of Cragg Road and Stony Royd house/farm.
This hefty lump of stone originally stood up-right, but now sadly it lies on the ground embedded into the soil and grass upon a small mound. It measures between 8-9 feet in length, 7 ft 8' wide and 4 ft 9' at the base where it tapers off. Part of this very solid lump of millstone grit has now broken away - possibly through vandalism or local quarrying activities. It has always been referred to as a "standing stone" indeed it stands in a place called 'Standing Stone Field' which may also indicate the presence of other ancient monaliths, and there are one or two scattered about close-by. There may, even, have been a stone row hereabouts, though this has long since disappeared.
To all intense and purposes, the stone could be prehistoric in date - though the fact that it is called a "stoop" might indicate it to be more recent in date perhaps a waymarker - unfortunately we just don't know.
The recumbant monalith has been referred to in the past as 'the Rudd Stone' or even 'the Rude Stone' perhaps indicative of it being crudely made and shaped. It is said to be on an alignment, of sorts, with The Two Lads cairns, on Turley Holes and Higher House Moor to the south-west.
Sources of Information:-
Leyland F.A. - History of Halifax 1867.
This hefty lump of stone originally stood up-right, but now sadly it lies on the ground embedded into the soil and grass upon a small mound. It measures between 8-9 feet in length, 7 ft 8' wide and 4 ft 9' at the base where it tapers off. Part of this very solid lump of millstone grit has now broken away - possibly through vandalism or local quarrying activities. It has always been referred to as a "standing stone" indeed it stands in a place called 'Standing Stone Field' which may also indicate the presence of other ancient monaliths, and there are one or two scattered about close-by. There may, even, have been a stone row hereabouts, though this has long since disappeared.
To all intense and purposes, the stone could be prehistoric in date - though the fact that it is called a "stoop" might indicate it to be more recent in date perhaps a waymarker - unfortunately we just don't know.
The recumbant monalith has been referred to in the past as 'the Rudd Stone' or even 'the Rude Stone' perhaps indicative of it being crudely made and shaped. It is said to be on an alignment, of sorts, with The Two Lads cairns, on Turley Holes and Higher House Moor to the south-west.
Sources of Information:-
Leyland F.A. - History of Halifax 1867.
Last edited by Sunbright57 on Sat Aug 20, 2011 3:41 pm; edited 1 time in total
