Rt Hon Sir Julian Smith KCB CBE, Member of Parliament for Skipton and Ripon, has welcomed the Government’s decision to grant Scheduled Monument status to the Dudderhouse Hill long cairn, a rare Neolithic site located in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
The cairn, which dates back over 5,000 years, offers a unique glimpse into the lives and beliefs of England’s earliest farming communities. Despite recent damage from stone removal, the site remains well-preserved and will now benefit from the highest level of heritage protection available in England.
Commenting, Julian Smith MP said: “It is fantastic that Dudderhouse Hill long cairn has received the recognition and protection it deserves. This site illustrates our region’s rich heritage and also a valuable educational and cultural asset for future generations. I am grateful to Historic England and the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority for their work in securing this designation.”
The designation follows a detailed assessment by Historic England and highlights the cairn’s ceremonial significance and its relationship with the surrounding landscape, including views of Pen-y-Ghent and the Ingleborough ridge.
Local residents and visitors are encouraged to contribute their stories, photographs, and memories of the site through Historic England’s Missing Pieces Project, helping to build a fuller picture of this important monument.
