Description

The asset was previously listed twice also under List entry 1392960. This entry was removed from the List on 6th May 2015.

62/8/1

BOWLAND FOREST HIGH

TROUGH OF BOWLAND

BOUNDARY STONE AT SD 622 530

(Formerly listed as: TROUGH OF BOWLAND BOUNDARY STONE, NOW ON BOUNDARY BETWEEN LANCASTER AND RIBBLE VALLEY DISTRICTS AT SD 622 530)

16-NOV-83

II


A boundary stone marking the boundary between Lancashire and Yorkshire.

MATERIAL: Sandstone

PLAN: Triangular in section

EXTERIOR: A boundary stone marking the traditional boundary between Lancashire and Yorkshire and now also marking the boundary between the Lancaster and Ribble Valley administrative districts. It is located at the foot of the hillslope adjacent to the south west side of the highest point of the minor road that runs through the Trough of Bowland connecting Lancaster and Clitheroe.

It is made of dressed sandstone and is triangular in section with a sloping top. The top face is inscribed `BOUNDARY / 1897 / OF'. The left hand face is inscribed with two hands, each with a pointing finger, and bears the inscription `YORKSHIRE / TO/ WHITEWELL / 5 ¼ MILES / CLITHEROE / 12 ½ MILES'. The right hand face is also inscribed with two hands, each with a pointing finger, and bears the inscription `LANCASHIRE / TO / LANCASTER / 12 MILES / BAY HORSE / 10 MILES'. There is a small flattened area close to the base of the right hand face of the stone that is inscribed `CASSON / EAST ROAD WORKS / LANCASTER'. This presumably refers to the maker of the stone. The boundary stone is liberally covered in graffiti and close to the base of both the left and right faces of the stone there are small holes indicating the former presence of two brass memorial plaques.

HISTORY: The First Edition Ordnance Survey map surveyed in 1844 and published in 1847 contains the words `The Grey Stone of Trough' and this is thought to relate to a boundary stone positioned at the point where the Lancashire/Yorkshire border crosses the highest point of the minor road running through the Trough of Bowland. The present boundary stone here has the date 1897 carved on it. Brass memorial plaques were recently affixed close to the base of both left and right faces of the stone. These were subsequently removed but their `shadow' and screw holes remain visible.

REASON FOR DESIGNATION:
This boundary stone between Lancashire and Yorkshire is listed for the following principal reasons:
* It is a good example of a boundary stone with clearly legible inscriptions and unusual artistic embellishments depicting hands with pointing fingers giving directions to named places
* This current boundary stone continues a long tradition of marking the county boundary between Lancashire and Yorkshire at this spot
* It is a rare example of a boundary stone that bears the name and address of its maker.

Grid Reference: SD 62220 53034

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• The Grey Stone of Trough at Wikipedia
• Wikidata Q26644158

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  The green guide for historic buildings: how to improve the environmental performance of listed and historic buildings
• 
  Central Leinster: Kildare, Laois and Offaly (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of Ireland)
• 
  Yorkshire West Riding: Sheffield and the South (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Cambridgeshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Oxfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Bedfordshire, Huntingdonshire, and Peterborough (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)