Visit Ilkley, Yorkshire Dales

Ilkley tourist information

Ilkley is a long-established spa town, on the River Wharfe and in the county of West Yorkshire just outside the southern edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Ilkley has a history stretching back far beyond the 19th century - it was a Roman settlement 2000 years ago, and occupied as ar back as the Bronze Age (4000 years ago) before that, as can be seen at various locations where stone has been engraved with various marks and patterns (eg at Hangingstone Quarry above the town). More recently, Ilkley was an early site for Christian worship, and three 8th century Anglo-Saxon crosses can be seen in the Church of All Saints (the church itself is mostly 19th century, although on the site of much earlier churches).

In the 19th century two particular events shaped the future of Ilkley: (1) much of the village was expanded and rebuilt, and (2) the benefits of the loca spa water were discovered and made popular. From that time onwards tourism has played a significant role in Ilkley's economy.

The town has an attractive centre, with many buildings dating from the Victorian era, and set in attractive countryside. The broad, green streets of the centre contain a good variety of shops, restaurants and other facilities. Other local landmarks include a pretty stone bridge dating from the 16th century across the river, the Victorian bath house, and the building just outside the town called White Wells, remnant from the spa complex developed near Ilkley in the 19th century.

One particular highlight is the Ilkley Manor House, next to the All Saint's church. It is a rather grand Elizabethan stone manor which now contains a local museum and art gallery with an impressive range of artefacts celebrating the rich history of the town and region. The building itself dates from the 14th-16th centuries, although it is built on the site of a Roman fort, of which traces can still be seen. The town also has a popular Toy Museum.

Outdoors and places to visit near Ilkley

It is of course the chance to enjoy the scenery of the region that attracts many visitors to Ilkley. the most popular local highlight is on Ilkley Moor and the large rocks that are called the 'Cow and Calf' because of their claimed resemblance to those animals (rather optimistically perhaps)! Ilkley Moor offers numerous other opportunities to hikers.

Denton Hall and Bolton Abbey are also close to hand, with the castle and town of Skipton about 10 miles away.

Note: perhaps Ilkley's greatest claim to fame is as the town in the song 'On Ilkla Moor Baht 'at', a traditional Yorkshire folk song very well known all across the region.