Name: Brimham Rocks
Rating: 5.0

Brimham Rocks

National Trust - Brimham Rocks, Summerbridge, Harrogate, North Yorkshire HG3 4DW, UK

1-99 Years

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Description

The natural spectacle of Brimham Rocks, with its giant rock formations, was created by an immense river 100 million years before the first dinosaurs walked the earth, and a visit to this amazing landscape is truly a journey into pre-history. The rocks, sculpted by 320 million years of movement of entire continents as well as hundreds of thousands of years of ice, rain and wind, have taken on weird and wonderful shapes and with a little imagination, they resemble familiar creatures.

Visitors are free to explore the site, spotting the Dancing Bear, the Gorilla, the Eagle and the Turtle, whilst the more nimble can crawl through the Smartie Tube and balance on the Rocking Stones. Some of the most iconic rock formations can be viewed only 10 minutes’ walk from the car park, and it takes around four hours to explore all of this fascinating site, with its enduring landscape and carefully managed environment.

Brimham Rocks and its heather moorland are both Sites of Special Scientific Interest and are a magnet for geologists, naturalists, climbers and walkers, as well as families who love the freedom to explore this amazing place. If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.

Features

Free
Host birthday parties: No

Features

Rock formations: Weird and wonderfully shaped giant rock formations, created by an immense river 100 million years before the first dinosaurs walked the earth.
Dramatic moorland: Brimham Rocks' heather moorland is a Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), home to three local varieties: ling heather, bell heather, and cross-leaved heath.
Family friendly things to do at Brimham Rocks: If you're looking for somewhere exciting to get little legs exploring the outdoors, then Brimham is the natural playground that will get those wellies on. This is a special place with pathways to race down, amazing rock formations to scramble over and acres of wildlife-filled moorland to explore.
Exploring Brimham Rocks: From rocks to moorland, Brimham Rocks offers a host of different of features for visitors to explore. Discover some of the highlights and take a look at our top tips to help you make the most of your visit.
Wildlife and nature at Brimham Rocks: Brimham Rocks is a widely unique habitat home to a variety of plants and animals. Discover the abundance of wildlife that calls Brimham Rocks home, from ground-nesting birds such as cuckoos and curlews to a beautiful area of heather moorland.
Outdoor activities at Brimham Rocks: Whether you are looking for a gentle activity or something more energetic, there are plenty of opportunities available to explore Brimham Rocks. Take a stroll through the historical surroundings, marvel at the unique geology, or get the whole family involved with some orienteering and geocaching.
Nidderdale cycling loop at Brimham Rocks: Set in and around the Nidderdale AONB, this loop around one of the most beautiful areas of the Yorkshire Dales is a challenging route for more experienced riders.
Shopping: Find a cosy second-hand bookshop in the visitor centre filled with cook books, children's books, historical editions and lots more.

Facilities

Parking: Pay & display (coins only). Car park £6.50 for 4 hours, £10 per day. Minibuses £12 (booking essential), motorhomes £12, coaches under 22 seats only (booking essential) £15-20, motor cycles £3. National Trust members free. There is limited parking, please car share where possible.
Food & Drinks: Kiosk - Serving hot & cold drinks and light snacks. There are lots of picnic benches and visitors are welcome to bring their own refreshments. BBQs, gas burners or fires are strictly forbidden anywhere on main site or the 400 acre surrounding moorland. Please take your rubbish away with you.
Toilet: Please note that toilets are located approximately 550 meters from the car park.
Dogs allowed: Dogs are very welcome at Brimham Rocks but must be kept on short lead everywhere on site including the surrounding moorland. This helps protect our precious wildlife.

What to see

Top trails:

Monks' walk from Brimham Rocks to Fountains Abbey: Starting at Brimham Rocks, you'll follow in the footsteps of the Cistercian monks of centuries past on this ancient trail leading you to Fountains Abbey. Along the way, you'll be met with expansive views from Riva Hill to Brimham Rocks.
Circular walk at Brimham Rocks: This short circular walk will show you the highlights of Brimham from the dramatic rock formations, to the heather moorland.
Brimham Rocks to Pateley Bridge circular walk: This circular walk takes you from dramatic moorland rock formations by the River Nidd to Pateley Bridge, returning via the Nidderdale Way, an area of outstanding natural beauty.
Pastures and panoramas walk at Brimham Rocks: Pass through pastures in Nidderdale with panoramic views across the dale and beyond, on this circular walk. As you walk along the river path, you might see flashes of blue as kingfishers fly past, or brown trout in the river.
Moorland and meadows walk at Brimham Rocks: Explore the diverse landscapes around Brimham Rocks in Yorkshire, home to a range of pondlife, along with wild cotton and waist-high bracken. The walk culminates with stunning views across the Yorkshire Moors, and on a clear day you might even catch a glimpse of York Minster.
Brimham Rocks boundary walk: Enjoy a circular walk around the boundary of Brimham Rocks and discover panoramic views of the Yorkshire countryside. This route passes through woodland, farmland and open moorland, offering a glimpse of the rock formations that give Brimham Rocks their name along the way.
Fields and Fell Beck trail from Brimham Rocks: This gentle and easy walk through meadows, pastures and woodland leads you to Fell Beck before meandering back towards the Brimham Rocks visitor centre. Along the route, you'll be able to take in sweeping views across the surrounding countryside and stop to marvel at rock formations such as Idol Rock and the Dancing Bear.
Farmland, big skies and birds of prey walk: A gentle walk through farms, meadows and pastures, with wide open spaces and a great chance of spotting birds of prey like red kites, buzzards and kestrels.

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Price

Price: Free

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

Countryside: 09:00 - Dusk
Kiosk: 10:00 - 16:30
Visitor centre: 10:00 - 16:00
Second-hand bookshop: 10:00 - 16:00

Time may vary please check here: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/yorkshire/brimham-rocks#place-opening-times

Address: National Trust - Brimham Rocks, Summerbridge, Harrogate, North Yorkshire HG3 4DW, UK

Post Code: HG3 4DW

Council: North Yorkshire

County: North Yorkshire

By road: 11 miles from Harrogate off B6165, 4 miles from Pateley Bridge off B6265.
On foot: Follow the Nidderdale Way which passes through Brimham Rocks.
By bus: Harrogate Bus Company’s service 24 between Harrogate and Pateley Bridge stops at Summerbridge, a 1.5 mile/40 min walk away along Hartwith Bank and Brimham Rocks Road. From Sunday 20 April, Eastern DalesBus service 825 will run from York and Harrogate to Brimham Rocks and local villages on Summer Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays until 19 October.
Cycling: National Cycle Network Route 688. Cyclists are welcome on main track to the visitor centre and bicycle racks are available next to the refreshment kiosk.
Parking: Pay & display (coins only). Car park £6.50 for 4 hours, £10 per day. Minibuses £12 (booking essential), motorhomes £12, coaches under 22 seats only (booking essential) £15-20, motor cycles £3. National Trust members free. There is limited parking, please car share where possible.