Hanging Stone or Watersheddles Cross

Hanging Stone, also known as Watersheddles Cross, is a weathered millstone grit boundary marker standing on the high moorland above Laneshaw Bridge, on the old border between Lancashire and Yorkshire. It is a quiet, windswept spot for walkers who enjoy landscapes with a story behind them.

What is the Hanging Stone?

The monument is a large block of gritstone that leans at roughly 45 degrees, which explains the name. A cross stands out from the top, and the name is cut into one side. The stone is Grade II listed, and the listing describes it as a boundary marker dating from the 19th century. Local tradition and older descriptions suggest the top was once shaped into an octagon with a raised cross, and that the lettering was added by people from the surrounding area. An early 20th-century account puts its length at about six feet.

Where is it, and why does it matter?

The stone sits on Oakworth Moor, near Kiln Hill, in the civil parish of Laneshaw Bridge. It lies on the historic line dividing Lancashire from the West Riding of Yorkshire, and today it is also where the Pendle and Bradford local authority areas meet. Published grid references differ by a few metres, so allow for a short search on open moor.

A boundary with a long history

The marker belongs to a much older story. In 1618 a commission examined a dispute between the Duchy of Lancaster and freeholders from Oakworth. The Lancashire parish of Whalley was said to have held land as far east as the Hanging Stone, and the county line was fixed at Watersheddles Cross. Around the stone there are several other markers. A narrow, unlettered boulder is associated with that 17th-century settlement. Modern concrete posts mark the Lancashire and Yorkshire sides, and another pair names Keighley and Trawden.

What can you see nearby?

• The leaning stone with its carved cross and inscription.
• Other boundary stones and posts grouped around Watersheddles.
• Open moorland views across the Pennine watershed, which gives the place its name.

Practical tips

Conditions on the moor change quickly, so bring waterproofs and sturdy boots. Paths can be boggy after rain, and there are no facilities on site. Carry a map or offline navigation, because the stone is not easy to spot from a distance in poor visibility.

Frequently asked questions

Why is it called the Hanging Stone? The block leans sharply, so it appears to hang rather than stand upright.

Is it a real cross? It is a boundary marker with a cross form carved on top, not a religious monument in the usual sense.

Is the Hanging Stone protected? Yes, it has Grade II listed status.

Which counties does it separate? Historically Lancashire and the West Riding of Yorkshire. Today it also marks where the Pendle and Bradford council areas meet.

Is it worth a visit? For history lovers and moorland walkers, yes. It is a small monument, but it connects directly to centuries of local boundary disputes.