One of the better-known rock art sites on Ilkley Moor, the Barmishaw Stone has some unusual rock art motifs. The name “Barmishaw” is derived from old West Yorkshire dialect words “barm i’ t’ shaw” meaning “ghost in the woods” or “spirit in the woods”, attributed to the folklore surrounding the stone. (OS Grid Reference SE 11192 46419 / 53.91380, -1.83115).
The Barmishaw Stone has been documented by a number of archaeologists, including John Hedges (1986), Boughey & Vickerman (2003) and Alan Davies (1983, 1988):
Medium sized flat-topped rock…fairly smooth grit, sloping slightly east to west, covered with carvings, some of which are very worn. Slanting sunshine needed to detect them. About twenty-four cups, at least nine with rings or incomplete rings, two with multiple grooves half round and continuing straight down, one of them incorporating ‘ladder.’ Five other ‘ladders’ – in a good light. Cups mostly deep and clear.
John Hedges
The stone features some unusual motifs, found on a couple of other stones at Ilkley Moor (Willie Hall Wood carving, Piper Stone, Panorama Stones):
The Barmishaw stone has some of Ilkley Moor’s speciality carvings, the so called ‘ladders’ which consist of a pair of parallel grooves linked by perpendicular ‘rungs’ – it is thought that this pattern is unique to this stone and the Panorama Stone. In daylight the patterns on the stone can be difficult to make out but there appear to be six of these ladder forms, as well as twenty-four cups, nine of which have rings.
Stone Circles UK
The Barmishaw Stone (sometime misspelt as the Barnishaw Stone) is also known as:
- Carving I/4 (Davies)
- Carving no.92 (Hedges)
- Carving no.253 (Boughey & Vickerman) / PRAWR 253
- ERA-2333 Barmishaw 02
Getting to the Barmishaw Stone
There are many different trails you can take to reach the Barmishaw Stone; the easiest approach is from the north where a small trail provides a passage through the bracken. Follow the route to the Badger Stone, taking Keighley Road from Ilkley and then continuing on foot from the carpark up the gravel 4WD road on foot for about 500m. Turn left (east) onto a walking path that heads across the moor and continue along this for about 600m. From the Badger Stone walk downhill about 400m. The Ilkley Moor loop hike passes this site and a number of others on the moor.
More information
- The Northern Antiquarian – Barmishaw Stone
- Stone Circles UK – Barmishaw Stone
- Sketchfab – Barmishaw Stone [3D model]
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