Yorkshire Dales National Park

One of the key challenges in restoring pathways within the UK’s National Parks is sourcing stone that respects the natural landscape while standing up to decades of footfall, harsh weather and demanding terrain. Add to that the need for sustainability and responsible sourcing, and the right material choice becomes critical.

So we were pleased to support the Yorkshire Dales National Park with the sourcing and supply of reclaimed Yorkshire stone for the upgrade of a 3km section of the Coast to Coast path, bringing it up to the government’s National Trail standard.

This remote stretch of path at Birkdale crosses environmentally sensitive peat bogs and carries thousands of walkers each year, often in difficult conditions. The constant erosion caused by foot traffic had begun to threaten the stability of the peatland, a landscape of significant scientific importance.

Funded by Natural England the new pathway was designed not only to improve accessibility, but to protect the area’s fragile eco-diversity. The site holds Triple Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) status, along with two European environmental designations: Special Protection Area (SPA) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

The finished path blends naturally into the surrounding moorland, while playing a vital role in preventing further erosion and long-term damage to the peat.

The logistics of the project were demanding. Around 700 tonnes of stone were required, all airlifted into the pathway’s remote location via 450 helicopter lifts. Each stone was then placed individually, on site.

Much of the reclaimed stone was sourced by us from demolished former mills in Preston, selected for its durability and its larger-than-average width (approximately 900mm). This allowed the creation of a naturally wider, more stable footpath that broadens accessibility while remaining sympathetic to the landscape.

This project is a good example of how our sensitively-reclaimed stone can meet exacting technical, environmental and aesthetic requirements - offering a sustainable solution that performs as well as it looks.