The Cow and Calf rocks are a famous large Millstone Grit outcrop on Ilkley Moor, the landmark is situated up Hangingstone Road and command a dominant position (Elevation 402 m - 1319 ft) above the spa town of Ilkley. They're named this way because the large rocky outcrop could be said to resemble a cow and the smaller one a calf. The town is only 17 miles from Leeds and Bradford being only 9 miles away, Ilkley also has a railway connection and a good bus service.
According to local legend, the Calf was parted from the Cow by the giant Rombald who was fleeing from an enemy, he is said to have stamped on the rock as he leapt across the valley. The enemy, it is said, was his wife. She dropped the stones held in her skirt to form the local rock formation The Skirtful of Stones.
The area is very popular as there is something for all. It has its own car park for visitors that can be found at the bottom of the Cow and Calf, this tends to get full on nice sunny days. Driving here from any direction is pleasant and there are not too many hold ups at any time of the year. If you drive in from the Guisley/Baildon direction there has been speed restrictions put on the villages you pass through (rightfully so as there used to be some mad drivers) but there is the unwelcome addition of some nasty speed ramps.
There is a little cabin by the car park where you can buy something to eat, or drink. The prices are not too bad compared to other places that have a captive audience. There is also a pub a little up the road where you can have a nice meal and enjoy the spectacular views over the town of Ilkley and lower Wharfedale while you relax, prices are very reasonable and not too over the top.
Families can do a little walking around though it is a little tough and limiting to where you can go if you have a pushchair with you. Same can also be said if you have a wheelchair, there are paths in the area that can get you to the Cow and also across to the Calf. Getting to the top of the Cow would be difficult and take a bit of forward planning. Children love to do a bit of clambering and running which soon burns off all that energy. There are challenges for the more serious climbers too; they can often be seen climbing various areas of the Cow. There is nice gentle rambling to be had; just exploring around the area you can find names carved into the stone by previous visitors with the earliest I've seen being from the early 1800. The serious walkers can use the area as a starting point for a walk across Ilkley moor.
And the Famous song -
Reworded version of the hymn "Cranbrook" which was composed by Thomas Clark in 1805. The lyrics of the song are about someone courting Mary Jane. This is set on Ilkley Moor and the young man is not wearing a hat (baht 'at). Mary Jane reprimands her suitor for not wearing his hat on Ilkley Moor (Tha's bahn' to catch thy deeath o` cowd), he will die from exposure. Then he will have to be buried (Then we shall ha' to bury thee), resulting in his body being eaten worms (Then t'worms'll come an` eyt thee up). The ducks will then eat the worms (Then t'ducks'll come an` eyt up t'worms) with the ducks in turn being eaten by the singer (Then we shall go an` eyt up t'duck). The end result in this is that the young lover is eaten (Then we shall all ha' etten thee).