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Hartwith Cum Winsley

Wishing Stone (Brimham Rocks)

Highlight • Natural

Wishing Stone (Brimham Rocks)

Recommended by 24 hikers

This Highlight is in a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Nidderdale National Landscape

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    Best Hikes to Wishing Stone (Brimham Rocks)

    4.5

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    1. Druid's Writing Desk – Brimham Rocks loop from Low Laithe

    7.31km

    02:06

    180m

    180m

    Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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    Moderate

    Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

    Hard

    Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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    Tips

    March 10, 2025

    Wishing Stone, which is located near the precariously balanced ‘Idol’. The Wishing Stone is a tall rock, at the base of which there is an opening around a short stone pillar with a hole through it.

    The old guide book notes that people placed the middle finger of their right hand into the small hole, and then made a wish. Another reference mentions placing the right arm around the pillar itself, in order to bring luck.

    The Wishing Stone name may have been given to this rock feature by the tour guides, or it may have been another part of the areas older folklore. In either case it shows that the belief in wishing stones existed hereabouts, and was familiar to visitors. Wishing Stones in other parts of Britain often required some action or ritual to be performed before making the wish, such as walking around the rock 3 times. There may have been something similar at the Brimham Wishing Stone, perhaps involving crawling through a gap in the rock below the wishing pillar.

      June 13, 2025

      wonderful trek around the stones but watch out can be very busy

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        Elevation 340 m

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        Max wind speed: 32.0 km/h

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        Location: Hartwith Cum Winsley, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, Yorkshire And The Humber, England, United Kingdom

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