The “Cow and Calf” outcrop on moorland above Ilkley, West Yorkshire, England.
This site is one of most famous natural landmarks in Yorkshire and has continued to attract visitors for nearly 200 years. As the spa town of Ilkley grew in the valley and tourism increased during the Victorian age, the “Cow and Calf” became one of the regions must see sites. Even today in good weather, the landmark and surrounding area is usually overrun with visitors taking in the site and fantastic vistas. One of the most striking elements of this site is the carved graffiti, with the upper surface of the “Cow” covered in peoples monikers. This area of outcrop is some 25 metres / 80ft long.
Humans have been attracted to this site for millennia and carvings dating back a few thousand years can also be seen in the area. Some were recorded on both the “Cow” and “Calf” in Victorian times, but the graffiti has probably obliterated them.
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