Fine weather (not too hot, not too wet) and a spare Friday inspired the whole family to head for the hills. The moors between Shipley, Keighley and Ilkley (collectively known as Rombald's Moor) are rich with archaeological remains and neolithic art - previous destination Rivock Edge is in the area - and today we planned to visit Horncliffe Well, just up the hill from the Otley Road on the border of Bingley Moor and Hawksworth Moor. It wasn't too hard to catch the turning from the A650 in Bingley up through the fantastically-named village of Higher Eldwick to the moor. The start of the footpath had a convenient (if narrow) parking space on the verge, so we stopped here and unpacked our supplies for the climb ahead. The moor was stunningly beautiful and we had hardly started upwards when we surprised a couple of grouse bobbing along the path. Away from the road, the hillside was cool and peaceful (apart from the occasional jet flying over from Bradford International) and the views were stunning. On the horizon, we could see
Emley Moor to the south and
Ferrybridge C Power Station (a personal
inspiration) to the south-east. The path was clear and we could see the boundary wall approaching to meet it from the east, where we knew we would find the well.
We reached the gap in the wall and found the well clearly marked in general -
- but not see clear to find in reality. Following the sound of running water, and poking around a bit in the thick grass and undergrowth, we found a drain cover over flowing water:
The water then emerged through another drainpipe and then ran under the wall and off down the hill.
Judging by the photo from 2005 on
The Megalithic Portal listing, some work has been done to channel the flow of water here.
Flushed with success, we attempted to climb further up the hill and find the Twelve Apostles stone circle, but tiredness got the better of us and we made a leisurely return down the path, enjoying the view and occasionally laying in the heather for a rest.
