Black Dick's Tower

Black Dick's Tower

Black Dick's Tower - known as "The Temple" on maps - was the Summer House of Whitley Hall, bought by a Mr Charles Sutcliffe in 1924. The house and many of the buildings fell into disrepair but the Summer House still remains to this day.

Whitley Hall had its ghost, that of Black Dick (Sir Richard Beaumont), who was reputed to walk in the grounds with his head under his arm every year on 5 July. "Black Dick of the North" was the nickname given to him by James I. Born in 1574 and knighted in 1609, Black Dick was made a baronet in 1628. He was a highwayman and died in 1631.

Black Dick's Tower from Hare & Hounds This shows Black Dick's Tower from the Hare & Hounds pub. It's a very enjoyable walk from this pub up to the Tower. In fact, I can think of no better way to work off that Sunday Lunch! It's quite a climb but the view from the top is well worth the trouble (see below).

Although I must have passed this landmark many times when I lived in Mirfield, I never walked up to the Tower itself. Invariably, it would be night time when we would pass and the Tower certainly lived up to its reputation as being haunted.

Black Dick's Tower at crest of hill It was late August 2001 when I finally walked up to Black Dick's Tower from the Hare & Hounds. Foot and Mouth restrictions were still in force. So, it wasn't possible to walk through the fields. Instead, there is a convenient public footpath off the main road at the brow of the hill.

The walk takes about half an hour. If that seems a long way, you can always reward yourself with a pint when you get back down t' hill!

Black Dick's Tower itself

And this is Black Dick's Tower itself, 700 ft. above sea level. The floor inside the Tower has collapsed so there's a six-foot drop inside, which is filled with bricks and rubble.

There is some graffiti on the outside of the building and rather more inside. A shame for such an important Mirfield landmark.

View of Mirfield from Black Dick's Tower

This is the view from Black Dick's Tower looking back over Mirfield. It's also possible to see Castle Hill, Huddersfield from this vantage point but I have not included this here.