5 of the Best Views in West Yorkshire

West Yorkshire is one of those places where you can be driving through a busy town one minute and, ten minutes later, find yourself looking out over miles of open countryside.

The landscape changes quickly here. There are high moors, old mill towns, wooded valleys, reservoirs and big stretches of open farmland, and some of the best viewpoints are surprisingly easy to get to. You don't always need a long hike or a full day in the hills to get a decent view.

So, if you're looking for somewhere to stop, stretch your legs and see a bit more of West Yorkshire, here are five viewpoints worth putting on your list — with one from each of the county's five local authority areas.

1. Cow and Calf Rocks, Ilkley – Bradford

There are plenty of places on Ilkley Moor where you can get a good view, but the Cow and Calf Rocks are probably the obvious place to start.

The rocks sit high above Ilkley and Wharfedale, and there's something quite satisfying about arriving here and immediately getting the full scale of the landscape. The town is spread out below you, while the valley stretches away towards the Yorkshire Dales. On a clear day, you can spend a good while just picking out villages, roads and hills in the distance.

It's also a good viewpoint for people who don't necessarily want to spend the whole day walking. You can get to the rocks without committing to a huge hike, although there are plenty of paths across the moor if you do fancy making a proper walk of it.

The rocks themselves are part of the experience. They're big, weathered pieces of gritstone that have become one of the most recognisable landmarks around Ilkley. Take a picnic, bring the camera and give yourself some time rather than treating it as a five-minute photo stop.

And when you've had enough of the wind on the moor, Ilkley is just down the hill, with independent shops, cafés and places to eat. That's what makes this a particularly good tourist stop — you get the big Yorkshire landscape without being too far from somewhere for a coffee afterwards.

2. Wainhouse Tower, Halifax – Calderdale

Wainhouse Tower is a slightly different proposition.

Rather than climbing a hill and looking towards a tower, here you actually climb the tower itself. The huge Victorian folly rises above Halifax and has become one of the town's most distinctive landmarks.

There are plenty of stories attached to Wainhouse Tower, including its nickname, the “Tower of Spite”, but the reason to visit is really the view from the top. Once you've tackled the spiral staircase, Halifax and the surrounding Calder Valley open out below you.

What I like about this viewpoint is that it gives you a different perspective on Calderdale. From the hills, you get the classic Pennine landscape. From Wainhouse Tower, you can see the towns and valleys working their way through it, with Halifax sitting right at the centre.

It also makes a good addition to a day exploring Halifax. You can combine the tower with the Piece Hall, Borough Market and the town centre rather than having to make a special journey just for the view.

Just check when the tower is open before setting off. It isn't a viewpoint you can simply turn up at every day, so a little planning is needed.

3. Buckstones, Marsden – Kirklees

For something a little wilder, head towards Buckstones on the edge of Marsden Moor.

This is proper South Pennine scenery, open moorland, exposed gritstone and a landscape that feels a world away from the towns further east. The viewpoint looks across the moors towards places including Pule Hill and the wider South Pennine landscape.

There isn't a big visitor attraction here, and that's part of its appeal. You can park nearby and get out onto the moor, where the landscape does most of the work.

On a decent day, the views are extensive, but there's also something particularly good about being here when the weather isn't perfect. Low cloud, wind and changing light are very much part of the Pennine experience. Just bring a coat. Yorkshire weather has a habit of making its own plans.

Buckstones is also a good starting point if you're interested in exploring more of Marsden Moor. There are walking routes around the area, and Marsden itself is close enough for a wander around the village, a drink or something to eat.

If you're putting together a day in the Colne Valley, this is the sort of place I'd add to the itinerary rather than making it the entire trip. Combine the moorland scenery with Marsden, the canal and the area's industrial heritage and you've got a really good taste of this part of West Yorkshire.

4. Surprise View, Otley Chevin – Leeds

There are some viewpoints that require a bit of effort to reach. Surprise View on Otley Chevin isn't one of them, which is probably why it has become such a favourite.

From the Chevin, you get a brilliant view across Wharfedale, with Otley below and the countryside opening out towards the Yorkshire Dales. It's the sort of view that makes you understand the geography of the area rather than just looking at a pretty bit of countryside.

The Chevin itself is worth exploring too. There are woodland paths, open heathland, rocks and a network of walking routes, so you can make your visit as short or as long as you like.

For visitors, the combination is hard to beat. You can have a walk in the countryside, enjoy the view, then drop down into Otley for lunch, a wander around the market town or a drink in one of its pubs.

It's also a reminder that you don't have to travel deep into the Yorkshire Dales for that classic Yorkshire countryside feeling. The Chevin is only a short distance from Leeds, making it an easy escape if you're staying in the city and fancy getting out into the fresh air for a few hours.

5. Sandal Castle, Wakefield – Wakefield

Sandal Castle might not be the first place that springs to mind when you think about great Yorkshire viewpoints, but climb to the top of the old castle mound and you'll see why it deserves a place on the list.

The remains of the medieval castle sit on high ground overlooking the River Calder and the surrounding landscape. From the top, there's a wide view across Wakefield, Pugneys Country Park and the Calder Valley.

There's something particularly nice about the setting because you're not just looking at the landscape, you're standing in the middle of it. The castle dates back to the 12th century and became famous for its role in the Wars of the Roses, so there's plenty of history attached to the hill as well.

It's also an easy place to combine with other things. You can walk from Pugneys Country Park, spend some time around the castle ruins and then head back down for a lakeside walk or something to eat.

The view changes quite a bit depending on the season. Summer gives you the green Calder Valley and busy walking paths around Pugneys, while autumn brings a completely different feel as the trees around the country park change colour.

For me, that's one of the things that makes Sandal Castle worth visiting. It isn't just about getting the perfect photograph. It's somewhere you can actually spend a couple of hours.

Five views, five very different sides of West Yorkshire

What makes these five viewpoints interesting is that none of them really gives you the same version of West Yorkshire.

At Cow and Calf, you've got the open moorland and huge Wharfedale panorama. Wainhouse Tower puts Halifax and the Calder Valley beneath your feet, while Buckstones gives you the rawer, more exposed landscape of the South Pennines.

Then there's Otley Chevin, where the countryside meets the edge of Leeds, and Sandal Castle, where history and landscape come together above Wakefield.

Put all five into a weekend itinerary and you'll cover a surprising amount of West Yorkshire. And if the weather is doing what Yorkshire weather does best, don't worry too much. Some of these views are arguably at their most atmospheric when the sun isn't shining.