Beamsley Beacon

The walk up Beamsley Beacon rewards you with proper views across Wharfedale and beyond - the sort of vantage point that makes sense of the landscape below. It's not a dramatic peak by any stretch, but the climb from Ilkley is straightforward enough for a morning outing, and the beacon itself, a stone tower at the summit, gives you something solid to aim for.

You're looking at a decent walk rather than a scramble. Most people allow between 90 minutes and two hours for the round trip from town, depending on pace and how long you linger at the top. The path is well-trodden and marked clearly enough, though it can be muddy after rain. Families with older children manage it fine; younger kids might find the sustained climb tedious.

This works brilliantly as part of a wider walking holiday in the area. Ilkley itself has plenty of other routes through moorland and into the valley, and if you're staying at one of the nearby caravan parks - Olicana Park sits just 1.7 miles away, or Catgill Farm at 2.5 miles - you've got a proper fell walk on your doorstep without needing to travel. The beacon is free to visit and there are no set opening hours; you climb when you fancy.

The real appeal is the sense of being on high ground looking out over the Dales. It's not a destination in itself, but it ties together nicely with Ilkley's other walks and the valley's quieter charm. Worth the effort on a clear day.