Smeekin Hill War Memorial.

The walk up to Smeekin Hill War Memorial is steeper than you'd expect, but the effort pays off once you reach the stone monument overlooking the Colden Valley. It's a modest affair - a simple memorial marking those from the local area who fell in the world wars - but standing there with Hebden Bridge tucked into the valley below gives you a real sense of the community these names represented.

This isn't a place for casual wanderers. It's proper walking country, and you'll need decent boots and maybe thirty to forty minutes from the nearest car parking to get up here. The memorial itself takes five minutes to read and reflect on, but the surrounding moorland is worth lingering for if the weather's clear. Families with teenagers who enjoy hillwalking will get more from it than younger kids, and history types will appreciate the chance to understand how the First and Second World Wars touched even the smallest Yorkshire communities.

There's no visitor centre or facilities here - bring water. The nearest town of Hebden Bridge is your base for supplies and accommodation, with several decent camping options nearby. Old Chamber Camping sits just 1.7 miles away and comes highly rated, making it a natural starting point if you're planning a moorland-focused holiday. The memorial works best as part of a broader walking itinerary across the Pennine footpaths rather than a standalone trip, though if you're already in the area exploring Hebden Bridge's galleries and cafes, it's well worth the leg work.