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EuropeUnited KingdomEngland

Ilkley

England, United Kingdom · Europe

About Ilkley

Ilkley works well as a base: 10 minutes from Burley in Wharfedale, 27km from Malham Cove.

Ilkley is a town located in England, United Kingdom. With a population of 14,809, it is an important destination in Europe.

On a road trip, Ilkley sits in United Kingdom, where you drive on the left. It's in the Europe/London time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Ilkley to your route.

About Ilkley

Ilkley is a spa town and civil parish in the City of Bradford in West Yorkshire, in Northern England. Historically part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, Ilkley civil parish includes the adjacent village of Ben Rhydding and is part of the Ilkley and Addingham ward within the City of Bradford. Approximately 12 miles (19

Read more km) north of Bradford and 17 miles (27 km) north-west of Leeds, the town lies mainly on the south bank of the River Wharfe in Wharfedale, one of the Yorkshire Dales. Ilkley's spa town heritage and surrounding countryside make tourism an important local industry. The town centre is characterised by Victorian architecture, wide streets and floral displays. Ilkley Moor, to the south of the town, is the subject of a folk song, often described as the unofficial anthem of Yorkshire, "On Ilkla Moor Baht 'at". The song's words are written in Yorkshire dialect: its title translated is "On Ilkley Moor without a hat".

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Ilkley

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Ilkley?

Ilkley offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Ilkley?

Plan your road trip to Ilkley with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Ilkley as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Ilkley located?

Ilkley is located in England, United Kingdom, Europe. The coordinates are 53.9245 latitude, -1.8233 longitude.

What is the population of Ilkley?

Ilkley has a population of approximately 14,809 people, making it a town in United Kingdom.

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Quick Information

Population
14,809
Continent
Europe
Country
United Kingdom
Region
England
Timezone
Europe/London
Coordinates
53.9245, -1.8233

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in United Kingdom

Police
999
Ambulance
999
Fire
999
Non-emergency police
101
Driving side
left

112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.

Full driving guide for United Kingdom

Tags

EuropeUnited KingdomEnglandTown

Worth the detour from Ilkley

8 notable places within an hour's drive.

ancient ruins

Bolton Abbey

Romantic 12th-century Augustinian priory ruins on the banks of the River Wharfe, surrounded by 30,000 acres of moorland and woodland.

8 km · about 15 min drive

cafe

Bettys Café Tea Rooms, Harrogate

Yorkshire tea-room institution founded by Swiss confectioner Frederick Belmont in 1919, still family-owned and famous for Fat Rascals and its art-deco interior inspired by the Queen Mary liner.

20 km · about 25 min drive

racetrack

Harewood Speed Hillclimb

The longest hillclimb course in England at 1,598 yards, climbing Yorkshire moorland on the Harewood estate with sweeping open views over Wharfedale from the spectator banks.

22 km · about 25 min drive

ancient ruins

Fountains Abbey

Largest and best-preserved Cistercian monastery ruins in England, set within the elegant Studley Royal Water Garden UNESCO World Heritage Site.

26 km · about 30 min drive

cafe

The Hideout Cafe

A motorcycle-friendly cafe nestled in the Yorkshire Dales, perfectly positioned on some of northern England's finest riding roads.

26 km · about 30 min drive

natural wonder

Malham Cove

Vast curved limestone cliff rising 80 metres from the valley floor, crowned with an extraordinary limestone pavement of weathered clints and grykes.

27 km · about 30 min drive

natural wonder

Gordale Scar

A jaw-dropping limestone ravine with waterfalls tumbling between overhanging cliffs near Malham.

27 km · about 30 min drive

national park

Yorkshire Dales National Park

Classic English countryside with limestone pavements, waterfalls, and stone-walled valleys.

40 km · about 45 min drive

Driving roads near Ilkley

  • 49 kmTrough of BowlandRemote moorland pass through the Forest of Bowland linking Lancaster and Dunsop Bridge, following the route the Pendle witches were marched to trial in 1612. Sweeping single-carriageway bends with barely a building in sight.
  • 51 kmButtertubs PassA high, narrow Dales road over the moors, named for deep limestone potholes and ranked among Britain's best drives.
  • 54 kmSnake PassA twisting road through the Peak District connecting Sheffield and Manchester, beloved by motorcyclists and driving enthusiasts.
  • 55 kmSnake Pass SummitThe highest point on the A57 crossing the Pennines, with moorland views stretching across the Dark Peak landscape.
  • 64 kmMam TorKnown as the 'Shivering Mountain' for its unstable layers, this Peak District summit offers spectacular views along the Great Ridge to Lose Hill.
  • 65 kmWinnats PassA steep, narrow limestone gorge with towering pinnacles on either side, creating one of the Peak District's most dramatic drives.

Driving in United Kingdom

Drives on
the left
Petrol
~€1.73/litre
Motorway tolls
None

When to drive here

April to October

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Ilkley.

Burley in Wharfedale

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

5 km awayPop. 5,996

Addingham

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

5 km awayPop. 3,730

Menston

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

6 km awayPop. 4,764

Silsden

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

8 km awayPop. 7,912

Keighley

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

8 km awayPop. 50,171

Bingley

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

8 km awayPop. 18,040

Otley

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

9 km awayPop. 14,668

Baildon

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

9 km awayPop. 15,710

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence