Ilkley is a very pleasant spa town situated in lower
Wharfedale
at the southern edge of the
Yorkshire Dales.
Although within easy reach of the cities of
Leeds
and
Bradford
in nearby
Bronte Country,
Ilkley is surrounded by fine unspoiled scenery, with
Ilkley Moor
and the famous
Cow and Calf
rocks positioned just above the town.
Also on the moor is the famous whitewashed building known as White Wells - which houses a bath at a site which (reputedly) dates from Roman times. [N.B. Ilkley was an important outpost during the Roman occupation, when it was known as "Olicana".]
Other attractions include the Victorian bath house in the town itself, and the recently refurbished Ilkley Pool and Lido, one of the country's last remaining outdoor public swimming pools. [N.B. Owing to the generally inclement nature of the British weather, this particular attraction is usually open in the summer months only !]
Regular events in the town include the Ilkley Literature Festival and the Ilkley Music Festival. The town is also home of the Airedale Symphony Orchestra (although Ilkley is of course actually in Wharfedale).
Just to the north of Ilkley lies Bolton Abbey in the Duke of Devonshire's extensive country estate, and the beautiful Yorkshire Dales National Park.
Ilkley is also the starting point of the Dales Way long distance footpath, which passes by Bolton Abbey and up through Wharfedale en route to Bowness on Windermere in the English Lake District.
[N.B. Ilkley Moor is also famous as the setting of the folk song "On Ilkla Moor Baht'at" - widely recognised throughout the world as Yorkshire's county "anthem".]
The Yorkshire Dales
is designed, maintained and promoted by
Eagle Intermedia Publishing Ltd.
