Buckden Pike

The stone cairn stands near the summit of Buckden Pike at about 702 meters (2300 feet) elevation in Yorkshire Dales National Park. It is a simple monument built from stacked stones that stands out clearly on this mountain top.

In 1942, a Polish Air Force Wellington bomber crashed on Buckden Pike, with only one of the five crew members surviving. This tragedy later led to the construction of the memorial to ensure the event would not be forgotten.

The memorial honors Polish airmen and their role during World War II in this region. Local people have worked to keep the story of these men alive and their memory respected.

Several marked trails from Buckden village lead to the summit, with the shortest route following a steep bridleway. The terrain is rough and weather conditions can change quickly, especially at the summit elevation.

The memorial has drill holes that once contained cards identifying visible mountain peaks and geographical features in the distance. These information cards are now often missing, but the holes in the stone still suggest this ingenious feature.

GPS coordinates: 54.20482,-2.06188

Latest update: December 10, 2025 20:09