It is located about one-third of a mile (0.5 km) east of Oakworth in the Worth Valley area of the City of Bradford.

[1][2] The name of the hamlet has been recorded historically as Cackeleshawe, Cackelshay, Cackwelshey and Cockleshaw.

This derives from the Old English of kakele (a cackler, or a nickname) and Sceagh, which means copse.

[3][4] Historically, the main occupation in the hamlet was farming, with much of the land tenanted from the Duke of Devonshire's estate.

[5][6] Cackleshaw is on the 11-mile (18 km) circular Worth Way walk which starts and ends in Keighley.