National Trust Brimham Rocks, Harrogate

4.7

#2 of 84 in Nature in Yorkshire

Must see · Geologic Formation · Nature / Park

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Stretch your legs with a walk around National Trust Brimham Rocks, featuring some of the most dramatic natural formations in the United Kingdom. These balancing rocks, many of which reach a height of 30 m (98 ft), are part of the protected Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Caused by the erosion of the Millstone Grit sandstone over a period of 300 million years, the almost impossible shapes were once thought to have been carved by the druids. Many formations have been named, though imagination is required and the correct viewing angle is helpful. See if you can spot the Sphinx, the Turtle, or the Dancing Bear. Rock climbing is recommended for very experienced climbers only, with guided walks for casual visitors available all year long. Take a look at our Harrogate trip planner to schedule your visit to National Trust Brimham Rocks and learn about what else to see and do during your holiday.

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National Trust Brimham Rocks reviews

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2,547 reviews

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4.8

By Leaf_Peeper00

An amazing place to explore though it can get very busy. Brimham Rocks, with its giant rock formations, was created by an immense river 100 million years before the first dinosaurs walked the earth..... more

An amazing place to explore though it can get very busy. Brimham Rocks, with its giant rock formations, was created by an immense river 100 million years before the first dinosaurs walked the earth..... more »
By RAD-50

What an amazing place! We were staying at a holiday cottage 40 minutes drive away in Gargrave and spotted a leaflet for Brimham Rocks and decided to go for it on a sunny Wintery February day, and it.... more

What an amazing place! We were staying at a holiday cottage 40 minutes drive away in Gargrave and spotted a leaflet for Brimham Rocks and decided to go for it on a sunny Wintery February day, and it.... more »

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By Sibella Ryman

Was fortunate enough to visit this Country Park which is run by the National Trust - spent the morning exploring not only the rock formations but also the moss gardens. I visited the park on a Thursday and it wasn't too busy, but left once a coach full of tourists arrived from across the pond. I think that you can spend an entire day at the park only to return the next day and see something new. Will I visit again? Yes. Can I recommend? Yes.

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By Donna W

Great place to visit if you want a walk and scramble up rocks. The rock formations look amazing. We've visited before to have a climb, however this time we parked here to walk part of the Yorkshire Heritage Way long distance walk and as such needed to pay for parking for one car for the full day, which was quite expensive at £9. After walking from Thruscross Reservoir to Brimham Rocks I didn't really have to much energy to clamber on the rocks but did visit the trig point behind the visitor centre!

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