A look at the history of Greygarth Monument, Dallowgill, with Dr Emma Wells

Greygarth Tower — often called the Greygarth Monument — is a small stone tower that perches on a windswept shoulder of Dallowgill near Kirby Malzeard in North Yorkshire. The present structure was erected in 1897 as a local celebration of Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee; it stands where an earlier pointed “pinnacle” once marked the ridge known as ‘Greygarth Post’ on the 1838 tithe map of the area.

From a distance the monument reads as a proud accent on the landscape: a compact, castellated column set against open moor and dale that rewards walkers with wide views over Nidderdale and the surrounding uplands. The tower’s prominent position meant earlier markers here were useful to surveyors and map-makers. Historical accounts link Greygarth and nearby sighting towers with 19th-century surveying for the Ordnance Survey maps, and with proposals to manage water in the area during reservoir planning.

Local folklore adds colour to the stonework. One persistent story claims an even earlier marker celebrated the supposed death of the last wolf in the area — a romantic, likely apocryphal tale to help suggest why a solitary tower was considered appropriate here.

In 1984, the ruined monument was rebuilt in a shortened, squat form through the joint efforts of the Kirby Malzeard, Laverton and Dallowgill Parish Council and Harrogate Borough Council.

To this day, a brief climb from the roadside leads visitors to it, where they are rewarded with sweeping panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. Interestingly, Dallowgill Moor was a favourite retreat of the Marquess of Ripon of Studley Royal, renowned for its excellent game and fine shooting. During the season, the moor attracted many distinguished visitors, among them George V. The Marquess’s reputation for superb marksmanship and generous hospitality made these gatherings famous in sporting circles. In 1923, he collapsed and died on Dallowgill Moor after a day’s shooting, and a memorial stone now marks the place of his death, commemorating him as ‘the finest shot in England’.

Today, Greygarth Tower is a modest but much-loved waypoint on circular walks from Kirby Malzeard and nearby lanes — as well as the renowned Crackpots Mosaic Trail.

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Books by Dr Emma Wells