Situated to the immediate south and east of the impressive Badger Stone on the Ilkley Moor are six rock art sites collectively referred to as the Green Gates stones; Green Gates 05 is better known as the Pitchfork Stone. (OS Grid Reference SE 11498 46045 / 53.91043, -1.82645).
Pitchfork Stone gets its name from the design of the rock art: “The carving on one rock consists of grooves in the shape of a pitchfork with a cup between the prongs, and a faint horse-shoe groove” (Historic England register). The design has also been described as “consisting of a flattened U shaped groove” and an “urn-like vessel with a cup in the middle”). A channel emerges from the bottom of the motif and there is also a small cup between the “prongs” of the carving.
First documented by Bradford’s Cartwright Hall Archaeology Group’s Bulletin in 1961, Pitchfork Stone was later referenced in the Ilkley Archaeology Group’s Carved Rocks book in 1986.
Pitchfork Stone is also known as:
- Green Gate 05
- Carving no. 102 (Hedges)
- Carving no. 256 (Boughey & Vickerman) / PRAWR 256
Getting to the Pitchfork Stone
Take any of the trails that converge on the Badger Stone – the most straightforward route being via Keighley Road from Ilkley. From the carpark continue up the gravel 4WD road on foot for about 500m, before turning left (east) onto a walking path that heads across the moor and continuing along this for about 600m. From the Badger Stone continue another 400m along the trail that heads to the east. The Ilkley Moor loop hike passes this site and a number of others on the moor.
More information
- The Northern Antiquarian – Pitchfork Stone
- Sketchfab – Green Gates 05 [3D model]
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