High Cote

Stone circles don't get much more atmospheric than this Bronze Age relic perched high on Rombalds Moor. High Cote consists of around 20 standing stones arranged in a rough circle, though time and weather have knocked a few flat over the millennia. The setting is what makes it special - you're properly up on the moors here, with views stretching across Wharfedale and beyond.

Getting there requires a decent walk from Ilkley, roughly two miles across moorland paths that can be boggy after rain. Wear proper boots and bring a map - this isn't a waymarked tourist trail. The circle itself might disappoint those expecting Stonehenge drama; these are modest stones, some barely knee-high. But archaeology enthusiasts and anyone who appreciates ancient monuments in wild settings will find it well worth the trek.

Families with young children should think twice about the walk, though teenagers who don't mind a proper hike will love the sense of discovery. The site is always open and free, being basically stones in a field. Allow half a day if you're walking from Ilkley, or combine it with other prehistoric sites scattered across the moor. If you're staying at one of the nearby parks like Olicana or Brown Bank, it makes for a cracking day out on foot.