About this place
Winskill Stones is a Plantlife nature reserve near Settle, protecting limestone pavement and limestone pasture. Plantlife bought the land following a public appeal to prevent further removal of its pavement stone and conserve the plants that depend on this habitat.
The cracks in the limestone shelter plants that prefer shade and moisture, while the pasture supports a different range of flowers. Plantlife highlights species including mountain pansy and limestone bedstraw. What you see depends on the season; the reserve also offers views towards the Yorkshire Three Peaks in suitable weather.
Use Plantlife's current directions and visitor resources to plan your visit. Take care around the gaps in the pavement and roads through the reserve, and follow signs where livestock are grazing. Leave rocks and plants in place and keep dogs under control. This is a protected natural landscape, not a paved garden attraction.
Researched by Pocket Guides, 9 October 2026. Source: https://www.plantlife.org.uk/our-work/winskill-stones-nature-reserve/.