Whilst on a short break on the Yorkshire Coast, my wife and I decided to take an afternoon hike and spotted a walk in the latest copy of the North York Moors Association newsletter which sounded interesting as it included a visit to St.Gregory’s Minster and was close to Kirkdale Cave.

Walking near Kirkdale, just outside Kirkby Moorside recently, I had to go and find the famous Kirkdale Cave from which bones found back in the early 1800’s led to huge advancements in understanding Britain’s geological past.

Littondale is a lovely little Dale which can be accessed from Wharfedale near Kilnsey Crag or from the high road over Malham Moor. The start point of the walk was the small village of Arncliffe with the quirkly little pub The Falcon Inn sitting on the village green. I often make a stop here on my All Creatures Great & Small Tours as Arncliffe actually plays part of Darrowby in the new TV series and the back of Skeldale House.

What makes these fossil tacks so important is that previously there were no footprints of these animals of that age in the UK.

Having studied Geography and Geology at The University of Leeds many moons ago, I always doff my cap when passing the Sedgwick Memorial...

In Nidderdale not far from Pateley Bridge is the National Trust site of Brimham Rocks. This collection of dramatic, weirdly shaped rocks...

We headed out from Austwick to explore the surrounding limestone pavement and one of Yorkshire’s other famous geological features – The...

I have loved fossil hunting since being a child and over the years with my kids I have spent hours scouring the beaches around Staithes...