Gallows Hill

The walk up Gallows Hill from Ilkley takes about forty minutes and rewards you with proper views across Wharfedale. It's not particularly dramatic - the summit sits at just over 300 metres - but on a clear day you can see all the way to Pendle Hill in the distance, which makes the effort worthwhile.

The name comes from a dark history. This is where executions took place centuries ago, though there's nothing morbid about visiting now. It's a straightforward fell walk that families with older kids will manage fine, though younger ones might find it a bit of a slog. The terrain is moorland and grass, reasonably well-trodden, and you won't need specialist kit.

Allow a couple of hours for the round trip if you're not hurrying. Best visited on a dry day when the ground isn't boggy - it gets muddy after rain. Early morning or late afternoon light is genuinely lovely here, so time it right.

If you're based at Fairmead Farm Glamping or St Helena's Caravan Park, both within striking distance of Ilkley, this pairs well with exploring the town itself and walking the broader moorland network. It's the sort of walk that settles you into a proper Yorkshire weekend - nothing fancy, just honest fell country.