Step into a world shaped by time at Brimham Rocks, just a 20 minute drive from West Leas Farm. Here, towering natural sculptures rise from the landscape like something out of a prehistoric dream. These incredible formations were first created by a powerful river long before the age of dinosaurs—around 100 million years earlier, in fact. 

 

Over millions of years, shifting continents, ice, wind, and rain have sculpted the rocks into strange and striking shapes. With a bit of imagination, you’ll soon be spotting animals in stone—look out for the Dancing Bear, the Eagle, the Gorilla, and even the Turtle. For those who like a bit of adventure, there’s the Smartie Tube to crawl through and the Rocking Stones to balance on. 

 

Many of the best-known formations are just a short walk from the car park, but you could easily spend several hours exploring this dramatic moorland setting. The whole site is a playground for curious minds and active feet. 

 

Recognised as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, Brimham Rocks is loved by geologists, walkers, climbers, and families alike. Whether you’re here for the views, the fresh air, or the sense of wonder, this is nature at its most spectacular. 

 

Today, Hackfall may appear to be a natural woodland—a “beautiful wilderness,” as one 19th-century writer described it, considering it among the most picturesque places in the country. In reality, however, this landscape has been carefully shaped by human hands. 

 

Located near the Masham end of the village of Grewelthorpe in North Yorkshire, Hackfall owes much of its current form to the vision and efforts of the Aislabie family. John Aislabie purchased Hackfall Wood in 1731 for £906. Already renowned for his landscape designs at nearby Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, John laid the groundwork for what would become a designed landscape. His son William added a range of features that still survive today, including follies, grottoes, dramatic viewpoints, waterfalls, and even a fountain. 

 

Entry is free and you can download a visitor information leaflet here: Hackfall Walks 

 

Just 30 minutes drive away, Harrogate is Yorkshire’s very own boutique spa town – stylish, welcoming, and full of charm. Set in the heart of North Yorkshire, its elegant streets are alive with independent shops, lively cafés, and of course, the world-famous Betty's Tea Rooms. 

 

The town blends heritage with modern culture, hosting a packed calendar of events and exhibitions, all with a nod to its rich spa history. Renowned for its stunning floral displays, Harrogate is a delight for garden lovers. The jewel in the crown is the beautiful Valley Gardens – a Grade II listed park with unique themed areas, attracting around 3 million visitors each year. 

Masham is the beating heart of Yorkshire Dales brewing and a picture-perfect market town, nestled at the foot of Wensleydale where rolling hills meet golden summer fields and only 15 minutes away by car. With its proud church spire peeking through the trees and a welcoming market square lined with independent shops, Masham captures the true spirit of the Dales. 

 

The town is famously home to not one, but two renowned breweries – one a long-standing family-run favourite, steeped in tradition, and the other a modern success story that started small and rose to fame across Yorkshire and beyond. 

 

The Georgian market square is the town’s centrepiece, hosting lively markets every Wednesday and Saturday packed with local produce and handmade goods. Just steps away, the town hall keeps the community buzzing with a great line-up of live events all year round. Whether you’re here for the ale, the atmosphere, or the stunning surroundings, Masham always has something to offer.