Twelve Apostles of Ilkley Moor

The Twelve Apostles is a stone circle on Burley Moor comprising blocks between roughly half a meter and 1.2 meters tall. The stones form an irregular arrangement spread across an area of about 15 meters in diameter on open moorland.

The stone circle was built during the Neolithic period with up to 20 stones originally. By the mid-20th century all the stones had fallen, but they were then systematically re-erected.

The name comes from local tradition rather than religious meaning. Over generations, the stones have become a landmark that walkers and residents use as a natural point of reference across the moorland.

Access is via a walk of about 30 minutes from Cow and Calf Rocks car park following the Dales Way track. The route crosses open moorland at about 380 meters elevation, so sturdy footwear and weatherproof clothing are advisable.

Some researchers suspect the stones may be aligned with other nearby stone circles such as the Grubstones and Backstone Circle. This possible connection between several stone formations makes the area an intriguing network of prehistoric monuments.

Location: Burley

GPS coordinates: 53.90156,-1.80957

Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:41