Enchanting village where an ancient stone circle lines up perfectly with the sunrise

The Yorkshire Dales is a wonderful place to explore at any time of year, with its wide open skies, green valleys and pretty stone built villages that feel almost unchanged by time.

One of these small hamlets is this hidden gem, tucked into a bend of the River Wharfe in Wharfedale.

The main draw for visitors today is it's unusual Viking and Anglo Saxon carved stone circles, which sit on a low ridge just beyond the village green.

Photo © Jonathan Clitheroe (cc-by-sa/2.0)

They may not be as famous as the larger stone circles found elsewhere in the country, but that is part of what makes them so special.

Unlike Stonehenge, you can walk right up to these stones without being surrounded by crowds. Local stories even say the stones line up perfectly with the sunrise at certain points in the year.

Whether this is true or not, it creates a brilliant setting for family photos. Children love hopping from stone to stone, while adults can enjoy the sweeping views that stretch out for miles.

In the centre of the village, Bursnall Beck is perfect for a gentle stroll. The footpath follows the water as it winds behind cottages with leaning chimneys and bright window boxes full of flowers.

Halfway along, you will find a sweet wooden footbridge, ideal for a game of Pooh sticks, which somehow stays competitive no matter how old you are.

If you need a break, head to The Spindle and Spoon, the village café filled with the smell of freshly baked bread, strong coffee and warm jam. They are known for their amazing hot chocolate, piled high with cream.

Their packed lunches are also a real help if you plan to try one of the family trails leading up towards Bursnall Edge.

If you visit at the weekend, make sure you stop by Bursnall Market. It may be small, but it is full of charm, with hand stitched toys, jars of honey from a local beekeeper and delicious homemade pies.

Remember - LeaveNoTrace!

As with anywhere outdoors, kindly keep these areas pristine and wild by taking all trash with you. The amount of complaints we have seen since the pandemic is crazy. It's really not that hard to take your rubbish with you!

Litter tends to spread, so if you see any and are able to pick it up and dispose of it outside the hidden gem, it will help keep the area tidy.

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