Beamsley Beacon

Beamsley Beacon is an absolutely superb little trig point to bag, with a view to die for.

This one is super short, and so can be climbed by the youngest of explorers.

Keep your eyes peeled for the bigger kids’ route, that is currently in development!

Beamsley Beacon, what a view!

Located right at the very edge of the Yorkshire Dales, Beamsley Beacon is not just about the views, but it’s a place with a story, some proper history and a tragic tale….

This version is a top walk for younger adventurers. It’s a decent climb from the start point, but not for long!

Ok. The kids might not care about the views so much, BUT there have been ancient burials on this peak, there have been Napoleonic watch points on this peak and there has been a tragic air crash on this peak.

So for under 2 miles, there’s a lot to talk about!

Walking along the moorland of Beamsley Beacon

Walk details for Beamsley Beacon

Distance: Under 2 miles

Terrain: Moorland peaky paths! Aka, rough underfoot, can be muddy and lots of stones to watch out for! Ascent is just over 150m.

Parking: Side of road parking on Lanshaw Bank. Parking can be scarce in sunny weather, particularly at the weekend. If you find it busy, there are plenty of other places to go see…. just check out our website!! And do not block access to farms, gates, property or roads! You can also walk this from Addingham Suspension Bridge, but it makes it a much longer walk.

Public Transport: Not to this start point, but there are regular buses to Addingham which is an alternative start point for the walk.

Location: Langbar, just on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales.

Map: OS Explorer 297 Lower Wharfedale and Washburn Valley.

Toilets/ Baby Change: No

Nearest Cafe/ Amenities: Nearest Addingham/ Ilkley

the view across from Beamsley Beacon

Directions to Beamsley Beacon

  1. Beginning from Lanshaw Bank, head upwards on the path which leads between the properties at Black Hill and stick to it! (Easy directions these….)

  2. The path is wide, obvious, rocky in places, but absolutely clear as a bell!

  3. Follow it to the trig point and memorial. Here is the 11m wide summit cairn, which marks the burial spot from about 4,500 years ago! You can head over to the Old Pike for another of these cairns, or take a detour to find the site of the plane crash, but otherwise that’s your lot! It’s easy to find. It is a reasonably steep climb, but it won’t take you long to get to the top. I’d say it’s a good 2 snack climb!

  4. Once you’ve reached the top, head back down the same way you came up. The views do not disappoint, up and down!

⭐ We hope you enjoy our walks, but please exercise common sense as routes can change with the weather conditions and seasons! The routes have been walked by our own two feet, but you know your own limits. Always take a back-up map, don’t rely on GPS alone, wear appropriate clothing for the weather and take adequate snacks and refreshments with you (although as a parent, I know you already know that bit!)

⭐ Leave no trace! Take nothing away and leave nothing behind, take all rubbish home with you.

Sitting on the Trig point of Beamsley Beacon

What’s cool for kids on this walk?

🗻 Trig point to bag.

✨ Ooooh there’s lot to talk about when it comes to Beamsley Beacon! Thousands of years ago, it was where the burial mound for the local chieftain (important dude!) would be found. The massive cairn stands on the very spot, and there is another further along on Old Pike. Not only that, but it was also one of the Napoleonic Beacons, which were poised, ready to be lit when an imminent attack from the little dude was on its way (check out our walk to Pinhaw Beacon, which was another of these watch posts). It was about 100 feet south of the Trig point is the site of a tragic aircrash, which killed several servicemen in 1945. There is path that offshoots from the summit which will take you past the approximate location.

🌳 Why not try one of our walking games? Or you can download a free scavenger sheet! Moorland eye spy would work well or take a camera with you for the kids to take some epic shots!

Walking along a lane in the Yorkshire Dales

Want to find more Yorkshire Dales Walks?

All of our family friendly walks are arranged in loads of different categories including, waterfall walks, short walks and walks with play parks. So you can find exactly the kind of walk you are looking for!

But if you want to find all the kid friendly Yorkshire Dales walks in one place?

Then why not head to our Yorkshire Dales Walks section!

Scroll using the arrows for all our Family Friendly Walks

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