Brimham Rocks

Brimham Rocks is a 183.9-hectare (454-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest and Geological Conservation Review site, 8 miles (13 km) south of Ripon on Brimham Moor in the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in North Yorkshire and is looked after by The National Trust.

The site was SSSI listed for the value of its geology and because the heath and bog habitats had been much reduced by farming and forestry abd also to preserve rocky outcrops, birch woodland, acidic bogs, wet and dry heath, and plant communities which thrive when sheltered between the rocks and exposed on the moor.

Many of the rock names have been used for over a hundred years. Some fanciful names may have been invented to amuse visitors but some appear to have been inspired by antiquarians who adhered to Druidical theories about their origins. Just a few names, such as the Noonstone whose shadow indicated midday and old local names, Great Cannon and Little Cannon (now the Smartie Tube), may come from an earlier tradition.

The Rocking Stones, Lovers' Leap, Baboon's Head, Pulpit Rock, Parson's Head, Yoke of Oxen, Frog and Tortoise, Serpent's Head, Dancing Bear, Druid's Writing Desk, Druid's Aerial Altar, Druid's Coffin, Sphinx, Oyster Shell, Mushroom, Idol Rock, Anvil and Porpoise Head have all been named over the years.

Obviousle Brimham Rocks isn't the place to visit on a weekend or school holiday and the parking isn't cheap but if you pick your time it can be reasonably quiet and the parking fee is well spent. An added bonus for me was the coffee kiosk being open which I took full advantage of. A good couple of hours was spent photographing the rocks and I noticed that from one particular spot you get a distant view of Ripon Cathedral.

My journey home took me via Pately Bridge and Blubberhouse to Otley where I joined the rush hour traffic for a slow and laborious final leg.