Almscliffe Crag facts for kids
Almscliffe Crag, also known as Great Almscliff Crag, is a large rock formation in North Yorkshire, England. It's located on top of a small hill near the village of North Rigton, between the cities of Leeds and Harrogate. This impressive crag is made of a very hard rock called Millstone Grit.
The crag formed over a very long time. Softer rocks like shale and mudstone around it wore away much faster. This left behind the tough Millstone Grit, creating the tall, distinctive crag you see today. Because of its special natural features, Almscliffe Crag is recognized as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. This means it's an important place for nature and needs to be protected.
Rock Climbing Adventures
Almscliffe Crag is one of the most famous places for rock climbing in the region. Climbers from all over come to test their skills here. It was even featured in one of the very first rock climbing guides for the area, published way back in 1913.
Some of the well-known climbing routes include Parsons' Chimney, Black Wall Eliminate, and Wall of Horrors. These climbs offer different challenges for climbers. Besides climbing, the crag is also a popular spot for people who enjoy walking and exploring the outdoors.
Almscliffe Crag on Screen
This unique crag has often appeared on television! It's been a popular spot for filming, especially for Yorkshire Television. From 1998 to 2005, Almscliffe Crag was shown in the opening credits of the popular TV show Emmerdale.
It also appeared in every series of The Beiderbecke Trilogy, where the story always ended at the crag. Even earlier, in 1980, it was featured in the science fiction series Blake's 7. In that show, Almscliffe Crag was transformed into the planet Obsidian for an episode called 'Volcano'.
What's in a Name?
The name Almscliffe has a long history. It was first written down in the early 1200s as Almusclyve. One idea is that the name comes from an old female name, Almus, which was similar to other names used in Yorkshire at the time. Another theory suggests the name might come from older Celtic words. These words are al, meaning "fire," and mias, meaning "altar."
