On the side of a lane below Hartshead Pike is an ancient stone known as the "Twarl Stone". The stone is an ancient Tithe stone situated in an area once known as Twarl Hill but now known as Twirl Hill. The stone situated between the Hamlets of Hartshead and Alt originates from the times when farmers paid a tithe or tax to the parish. It would have amounted to one tenth of what the farmer produced, it would have been handed over twice a year then taken away to a tithe barn on crickets lane Ashton for storage. The practice of paying tithes continued untill 1831. The words "Tythe Stone" were carved on the stone in 1840 by John Coulthart to ensure its preservation.
It may also have been used as a plague stone. During the time of the disease outbreak, traders would place their money on the stone and then stand back to avoid contagion. Other traders would then leave goods at the spot here at Twirl Hill Road.