Tourist pours scorn on iconic Yorkshire landmark after 'eating on the floor'

A visitor to one of Yorkshire's most notable landmarks was less than impressed with what she found there.

After a trip to Emley Moor mast, near Huddersfield, visitor Naomi posted her opinion of what she discovered when she got to the iconic landmark. She was impressed with the towering transmitter itself, but not by the facilities for visitors - or lack of them.

Posting on TripAdvisor, Naomi wrote: "There are beautiful views to see from all around the area of the mast. The mast is impressive, but that’s it really. Really needs a few benches… I had to eat my sandwich on the floor."

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Other visitors have made similar points in recent months, with Dan, from Swindon, writing: "Nice stop-off en route from Huddersfield to Sheffield at Emley Moor Transmitting Station. Small car park and info board. Would be nice to have a picnic area or visitors' centre Nice way to break up the journey."

And Johnny Smith had a similarly disappointing experience after a visit in 2019. He said: "Once you arrive at the tower, there isn't anything to do other than just stare at it. There is limited parking, mostly just at lay-bys and other dodgy parking areas.

"It's a shame they don't do anything with it as it could be a popular attraction."

A spokesman for telecoms provider Arqiva told YorkshireLive that the Emley Moor site is "not a tourist destination."

"We fully appreciate that people love looking at the tower, given its iconic status as the UK’s tallest freestanding structure, and its role in bringing TV and radio to the region. But Emley Moor is a working site, not a tourist destination and to maintain the safety and security of the site, the public and the surrounding roads we don’t encourage people to visit the site specifically."

The concrete tower at Emley began transmitting in 1971 and is a Grade II listed building. The tower is 1,084ft (330.4m) tall.

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