Yorkshire


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why">WHY?</h2>



<p>Loved for its green spaces tucked below heathery moors and by the banks of the River Wharfe, the former spa town of Ilkley is within easy reach of Leeds, Bradford and the Yorkshire Dales. Its high street is teeming with imaginative independent shops and cafés, while there are weekly weekend markets. An boutique cinema, exciting restaurants, lively bars, inspirational schools, a Victorian lido and a warm community spirit make this wealthy West Yorkshire location a coveted place to live. Epitomising laid-back Yorkshire hospitality.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eat">EAT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/09/Untitled-design-21.png" alt="Fine dining dish The Box Tree Ilkley Yorkshire" class="wp-image-246" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/09/Untitled-design-21.png 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/09/Untitled-design-21-300x200.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/09/Untitled-design-21-1024x683.png 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/09/Untitled-design-21-768x512.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Box Tree</figcaption></figure>



<p>The acorn never falls far from <a href="https://www.theboxtree.co.uk/">The Box Tree</a> and the awards just keep coming for this famous restaurant, housed in one of Ilkley’s oldest buildings, with latest Tasting Menus from Head Chef Brayden Davies causing quite a stir. The <a href="https://discoverilkley.co.uk/emporio-italia/">Emporio Italia</a> is another Muddy favourite but booking ahead is advised for this cosy corner with Sicilian specialities and a handful of tables – a few al fresco. </p>



<p>Thumbs up, too, for <a href="https://galoskitchenilkley.co.uk/">Galo’s Kitchen Ilkley</a>, <a href="https://www.brooksilkley.co.uk/">Brooks Sri Lankan Tapas</a> (where Muddy Paws and Stilettos are welcome, thank you), the <a href="https://friendsofham.com/">Friends of Ham</a> craft beer and charcuterie and dog-friendly <a href="https://www.vintageinn.co.uk/restaurants/yorkshire/thecowandcalfilkley#/">The Cow and Calf</a> for country views and walks. Cafés include Yorkshire’s elegant <a href="https://www.bettys.co.uk/cafe-tea-rooms">Bettys</a> on The Grove, while charity-run <a href="https://www.outsidetheboxcafe.com/">Outside the Box Café</a> provides the feel-good factor for both service and food, supporting locals with learning disabilities to master restaurant skills.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shop">SHOP</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="1024" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/09/97B64762-7BDE-4F55-B33B-9A1A039A9830_1296x-768x1024.png" alt="Noras shop Ilkley Yorkshire rail of colourful knitted cardigans" class="wp-image-247" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/09/97B64762-7BDE-4F55-B33B-9A1A039A9830_1296x-768x1024.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/09/97B64762-7BDE-4F55-B33B-9A1A039A9830_1296x-225x300.png 225w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/09/97B64762-7BDE-4F55-B33B-9A1A039A9830_1296x-1152x1536.png 1152w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/09/97B64762-7BDE-4F55-B33B-9A1A039A9830_1296x.png 1296w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Nora&#8217;s</figcaption></figure>



<p>The perfect blend of creative independents, interior stores, upmarket shoe shops, stylish boutiques, outdoor wear and high street names along with award-winning foodie favourites (like <a href="https://www.lishmansbutchers.co.uk/">Lishman’s Butchers</a> and <a href="https://martinez.co.uk/">Martinez Wines</a>) and weekend markets by a traditional bandstand make shopping in Ilkley a joy. White Stuff, Mint Velvet, Whistles, Fatface and Oliver Bonas all rub along nicely on wide, blossom tree-lined streets sandwiched by parks. For gifts, try <a href="https://www.noras-shop.com/">Nora’s</a>, <a href="https://yorkshiresoap.co.uk/store/ilkley/">Yorkshire Soap Company</a>, <a href="https://www.grovebookshop.com/">Grove Bookshop</a> and <a href="https://mossandmoor.co.uk/">Moss &amp; Moor</a> or for the weekly supermarket shop, Muddy likes <a href="https://www.booths.co.uk/store/ilkley/">Booths</a>, the North’s answer to Waitrose.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-amp-wellbeing">HEALTH &amp; WELLBEING</h2>



<p>Fabulous, Grade II listed <a href="https://www.bradford.gov.uk/sport-and-activities/sports-centres-and-pools/ilkley-pool-and-lido/">Ilkley Pool and Lido</a> is <em>the</em> place to be come summertime, not just for swimming outdoors or indoors, but joining in water polo, tennis, outdoor yoga and circuit training as well as an end-of-season Dog Day when pooches can dive in with their owners! The River Wharfe welcomes hardy wild swimmers and water sports lovers in all weathers, but Muddy prefers wallowing in the warmer bubbles of the lakeside hot tub of the nearby <a href="https://www.chevinhotel.co.uk/spa/spa-access-facilities/">Chevin Country Park Hotel</a> or luxury spa at Bolton Abbey’s <a href="https://devonshirehotels.co.uk/devonshire-arms-hotel-spa/spa/">Devonshire Arms Hotel</a>. </p>



<p>Keep supple at boutique gym <a href="https://xofitness.co.uk/">XO Fitness</a>; <a href="https://www.purepilatesilkley.com/">Pure Pilates</a>; <a href="https://myddeltonyoga.co.uk/">Myddelton Yoga</a>; and <a href="https://dillonsfitness.co.uk/">Dillons Premium Fitness Training</a> or join prestigious <a href="https://www.ilkleygolfclub.co.uk/">Ilkley Golf Club</a> (where Colin Montgomerie honed his skills) and sociable <a href="https://www.iltsc.co.uk/">Ilkley Lawn Tennis &amp; Squash Club</a> (also now padel and racketball). Athletics, rugby, football and cricket have burgeoning club memberships while outdoor activities on the moors and dales include walking, running, cycling, horse-riding, climbing and caving.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Oodles of opticians to see and dentists to smile about; visit private GPs and women health specialists at <a href="https://www.ypchealth.co.uk/">YPC Health</a>; undergo physiotherapy and acupuncture at <a href="https://thevalleyclinic.co.uk/">The Valley Clinic</a> or <a href="https://www.summitphysioclinic.co.uk/">Summit Physiotherapy</a>; homeopathy and herbalism at <a href="https://discoverilkley.co.uk/ilkley-complementary-therapies/">Ilkley Complementary Therapies</a>; or visit the <a href="https://www.healing-alternatives.co.uk/">Healing Alternatives Festival</a> in September for holistic therapy and wellbeing events with free workshops.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community">COMMUNITY</h2>



<p>Emanating a strong sense of community and kind, neighbourly feel, it’s easy to make friends at charity coffee mornings or the <a href="https://discoverilkley.co.uk/ilkley-flower-club/">Ilkley Flower Club</a>. Plenty of worthwhile community groups are keen to do their bit from conservation work at <a href="https://discoverilkley.co.uk/friends-of-ilkley-moor/">Friends of Ilkley Moor</a> and <a href="https://discoverilkley.co.uk/ilkley-clean-river/">Ilkley Clean River Campaign</a> to assisting others at <a href="https://discoverilkley.co.uk/ilkley-good-neighbours/">Ilkley Good Neighbours</a> and <a href="https://discoverilkley.co.uk/ilkley-soroptimists/">Ilkley Soroptomists</a>. Muddy loves the thinking behind the <a href="https://www.ilkleythingery.org/">Ilkley Thingery</a>, a purse and planet saving project by <a href="https://discoverilkley.co.uk/climate-action-ilkley/">Climate Action Ilkley</a>, where you can borrow quality equipment like garden tools or kitchen appliances for occasional jobs instead of buying them – a bit like a library! A buzzy, friendly town, there is always something going on and <a href="https://discoverilkley.co.uk/ilkley-events/">flagship events</a> include the Ilkley Beer Festival in February, Ilkley Tennis Trophy in summer and regular antiques fairs year-round.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nearby-attractions">NEARBY ATTRACTIONS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/09/Untitled-design-22.png" alt="Sindy doll with horse and house at The Toy Museum Ilkley Yorkshire" class="wp-image-248" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/09/Untitled-design-22.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/09/Untitled-design-22-300x300.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/09/Untitled-design-22-150x150.png 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/09/Untitled-design-22-768x768.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/09/Untitled-design-22-500x500.png 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Sindy at the Ilkley Toy Museum</figcaption></figure>



<p>World famous for Yorkshire anthem ‘On Ilkla Moor Baht ‘at’ (translating as ‘On Ilkley Moor without a hat’), the breath-taking panoramas of the surrounding countryside and the iconic Cow and Calf Rocks draw locals, dog walkers and visitors alike. There are <a href="https://discoverilkley.co.uk/ilkley-manor-house-countryside-walks/">Heritage Walks</a> to follow, the <a href="https://discoverilkley.co.uk/three-bridges-trail/">Three Bridges Trail</a> is an easy circumnavigation of the town, while more serious hikers can set off to Lake Windermere on 80-mile-long <a href="https://www.dalesway.org/route.html">The Dales Way</a>.&nbsp; For littlies, don’t miss the <a href="https://www.ilkleytoymuseum.co.uk/">Ilkley Toy Museum</a> with its teddies and dolls, fun play area at the <a href="https://www.visitbradford.com/things-to-do/ilkley-riverside-gardens-p1623031">Riverside Gardens</a> or maze at <a href="https://discoverilkley.co.uk/darwin-gardens/">Darwin Gardens Millennium Green</a> (named in memory of Charles Darwin’s visit here in 1859). Open at weekends, Grade-I listed <a href="https://www.ilkleymanorhouse.org/">Ilkley Manor House</a> is free to enter and stands on the remains of a Roman fort.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-culture">CULTURE</h2>



<p>Undoubtedly inspired by the spectacular scenery, creative juices flow in Ilkley, with an abundance of galleries, craft workshops, artists, choirs, dance and theatre groups. Despite its diminutive size, actors, musicians and performers tread the boards on several stages around town: <a href="https://www.bradford-theatres.co.uk/kings-hall-winter-garden">King’s Hall &amp; Winter Garden</a>, <a href="https://ilkleyplayhouse.co.uk/IlkleyPlayhouse.dll/Home">Ilkley Playhouse</a>, <a href="http://upstagers.org.uk/#welcome">Upstagers</a> and in open-air venues like Ilkley Manor House courtyard. </p>



<p>Enhanced by a pizza and prosecco delivered to sofa seating, there are few better places to watch a film than at boutique <a href="https://www.ilkleycinema.co.uk/">Ilkley Cinema</a> with its two screens, bar and restaurant with outdoor balcony. <a href="https://www.ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.uk/">Ilkley Literature Festival</a> in autumn attracts over 100 of the best authors and an <a href="https://www.ilkleyarts.net/events/ilkley-arts-open-studios">Arts Open Studio</a> event in October allows the unique chance to meet local artists in person.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-average-house-prices">AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES</h2>



<p>Once home to stars like Alan Titchmarsh and Kaiser Chiefs’ singer Ricky Wilson, at the turn of this century, Ilkley was nicknamed ‘town of millionaires’ as a survey revealed it had over 100 rich-list worthy residents attracted by the stately Georgian townhouse and stylish Victorian villas. Average house prices flirt arounf £504,106 with the majority of sales being terraced properties, at £444,132. Detached homes sell for an average of £841,622, with flats fetching around £274,783. Some of the most sought-after properties are on elevated positions above the River Wharfe.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hot-property">HOT PROPERTY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="682" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/09/ILK170423_02.jpg" alt="4-bed house for sale in Ilkley Yorkshire" class="wp-image-249" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/09/ILK170423_02.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/09/ILK170423_02-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/09/ILK170423_02-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Ain&#8217;t life grand: this smart town centre 4-bed home is ideal for families. <a href="https://www.dacres.co.uk/properties/19192700/sales" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">On the market for £1.3m</a>.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nurseries">NURSERIES</h2>



<p>No less than three nurseries in Ilkley have been rated Outstanding: <a href="https://www.sacredheartilkley.org/wrap-around-care/larks-and-nightingales/">The Larks and Nightingales</a>; <a href="https://sites.google.com/allsaintspreschoolilkley.co.uk/all-saints-pre-school/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">All Saints Pre-School</a> and nearby <a href="https://www.brplaygroup.com/">Ben Rhydding Pre-School Playgroup</a>, meaning you can take it as read that your young children will be well looked after.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-schools">SCHOOLS</h2>



<p>Nearby <a href="https://www.burleywoodhead.com/">Burley and Woodhead</a> has recently joined another four Ilkley state primary schools, <a href="https://www.ashlandsprimary.org.uk/">Ashlands</a>, <a href="https://www.allsaintsilkley.bradford.sch.uk/">All Saints Church of England</a>, <a href="https://www.sacredheartilkley.org/wrap-around-care/larks-and-nightingales/">Sacred Heart Catholic</a> and <a href="https://benrhyddingprimary.co.uk/">Ben Rhydding</a>, in being rated Outstanding, as have the two state secondary schools <a href="https://www.ilkleygrammarschool.com/">Ilkley Grammar</a> and <a href="https://www.stmarysmenston.org/">St Mary’s Menston</a>. For private education, <a href="https://moorfieldschool.co.uk/">Moorfield School &amp; Nursery</a> and <a href="https://www.westvillehouseschool.co.uk/">Westville House</a>&nbsp; are both high-achieving schools, so gold stars all round.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-kept-secret">BEST-KEPT SECRET</h2>



<p>Hardly the epitome of rock ‘n’ roll, but in 1967, one of the greatest guitarists of all time – Jimi Hendrix – came to play a gig in Ilkley on a night that has since been etched in local folklore. Perhaps not surprisingly, the Troutbeck Hotel venue was so rammed that the police had to shut it down for safety reasons after the star only played one song, leading to angry crowd scenes in the normally quiet and tranquil town.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-commute">COMMUTE</h2>



<p>Trains run to Leeds and Bradford every 30 mins from the central station with easy onward links to London, taking an average of just over 3hrs. It‘s a 30 min drive to the M1 heading south and access to Manchester is also straightforward, while Edinburgh can be reached on the A1 or Glasgow on the M6 linked by the A65. A regular local bus network services the Dales, Leeds, Bradford and nearby Harrogate. Best of all, <a href="https://www.leedsbradfordairport.co.uk/">Leeds Bradford International Airport</a> is on the doorstep within just 15 mins drive so you can hot foot it to the Mediterranean in no time.</p>



<p><em>View the full&nbsp;</em><a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live/"><em>Top 300 Best Places to Live</em></a>.</p>


Ilkley

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