Death's Head Rock

High up on the moors above Ilkley sits a chunk of millstone grit with a rather grim name - Death's Head Rock. The outcrop gets its handle from a natural hollow that, depending on the light and your imagination, does look vaguely skull-like. It's the sort of place you stumble upon whilst proper fell-walking rather than turn up expecting fanfare.

The rock itself isn't massive, but the location is what counts. You're up on open moorland with views stretching across the Wharfe Valley and down towards Ilkley town. On a clear day, it's properly worth the trek up. The walk takes about an hour from Ilkley town centre depending on which route you choose, and it's not gentle - there's proper climbing involved. Walkers and hikers will find this satisfying; families with small children might find it a bit much.

There's no visitor centre, no admission fee, no facilities up there. It's just you, the rock, and the wind. That's rather the point. Arrive early on weekends to avoid the Ilkley fell-running crew who use this route regularly. Autumn and spring are best - summer can be thick with heather and gorse, winter's muddy and steep.

If you're basing yourself at Windmill Retreats or Fairmead Farm Glamping nearby, it's an excellent morning out before heading back for lunch. Combine it with a walk down to Ilkley itself for a proper day on the moors.