Ilkley

Ilkley

Ilkley is a charming town in Yorkshire, England that is well worth a visit.

The town is located on the River Wharfe and is surrounded by beautiful countryside. There are plenty of things to do in Ilkley, including walking and cycling along the river, visiting the many shops and restaurants, or exploring the nearby moors.

Ilkley Moor is a large expanse of moorland located near the town of Ilkley in Yorkshire, England

The moor is a popular destination for walkers and cyclists, and offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside.

There are also several ancient monuments located on the moor, including the Twelve Apostles stone circle and the Cow and Calf rocks.

Created: 3  December  2022  Edited: 29  November  2023

Ilkley

Shopping in Ilkley

Tesco 19, Springs Lane

Tesco supermarket

Booths Leeds Road, Ilkley

Booths supermarket

Co-op Food 22, Brook Street

Co-op Food supermarket

Local History around Ilkley

There are some historic monuments around including:

Cup and ring marked rock 90m WSW of Gill Head ReservoirCup marked rock east of entrance to Silver Well CottageGrooved rock and cup and ring marked rock 420m east of Badger StoneCup and ring marked rock 12.5m from drainage cut NNE of Black PotsCup and groove marked rock, 310m north east of the shooting shelter in Middleton Moor EnclosureCarved rock at east end of disused rifle rangeCup marked rock in boulder walling between Southpiece Cottage and Bleach MillTwo carved rocks, one dome-shaped and one ridged, near grouse butts on Foldshaw Ridge 880m ESE of Wards End, Middleton MoorEnclosed settlement containing three carved rocks known as Backstone Beck EnclosureCarved rock in strip of trees on north side of track from Stead to Burley in WharfedaleRock with single cup mark between road and Pennythorn HillCup marked rock 1m from wall on unforested plateau at RivockCup and ring marked rock known as the Sepulchre Stone, Addingham MoorsideCup-marked rock on slight bank north east of Glovershaw quarrySmall cairn north east of large cairn on Hawksworth MoorCairn at Rombalds Moor triangulation pillarCairn and carved rock on High Black Hill, 410m ENE of the shooting shelter in Middleton Moor EnclosureCup and groove marked rock in garden of Oakwood Barn, High EldwickSplit and hewn cup-marked rock north of a wall junction on RivockRock with seven to eight cup marks north of Dryas Dike 720m ESE of Wards End, Middleton MoorRock with one cup mark in track at east end of Foldshaw Ridge, 480m SSE of the shooting shelter in Middleton Moor EnclosureCairn known as the Great Skirtful of StonesCup and ring marked rock overlooking bend in Ilkley-Keighley road, 185m south east of Neb StoneCarved rock known as Pepperpot Rock and adjacent small carved rock west of West Rock and 215m south of White WellsRock with many cup marks and one groove between Dryas Dike and Delves Beck 910m ESE of Blackhill House, Middleton MoorCarved rock on bank of How Beck, east of path from West Morton to Riddlesden and 440m south west of Barn House FarmSouthernmost of two cairns east of Glovershaw quarryCup and groove marked rock on flat ground south of Foldshaw Ridge, 510m SSW of the shooting shelter, Middleton MoorCup and ring marked rock east of Eaves Crag, Baildon MoorCup, ring and groove marked rock at east end of the low ridge between Dryas Dike and Delves Beck 980m ESE of Wards End, Middleton MoorProminent cup-marked rock east of track, north east of Stanbury HillCup marked rock on slope, 480m ENE of the shooting shelter in Middleton Moor EnclosureCup, ring and groove marked rock west of the path between Black Hill and Loftshaw Gill, 300m NNE of the shooting shelter in Middleton Moor EnclosureCairn on Hawksworth Moor; largest one of a group of cairnsSmall cup marked rock at eastern edge of a hollow 125m south east of the enclosure on Woofa BankCup, ring and groove marked rock near ford across Whinthorn Ridge Gill in Middleton Moor Enclosure, 430m NNE of March Ghyll ReservoirCup and ring marked rock 370m SSW of Panorama ReservoirCarved rock in the wall at north edge of Otley Road north west of the Fleece InnAnglo-Saxon cemetery and medieval manorial centre including fishponds and part of the open field system adjacent to St Peter's ChurchRound Hill, round barrow 1/2 mile (800m) NNE of Upper Austby FarmCarved rock known as the Anvil RockCup marked rock with triangular groove 75m east of enclosure on Woofa BankCup marked rock on low knoll west of and overlooking Cow and Calf HotelRock with one cup mark near boundary between Askwith Moor and Denton Moor, 590m ESE of DunkirkCup marked rock adjacent to wall near road from East Morton to West MortonTwo cairns on Hawksworth Moor, one with an internal cistRock with cup marks and short groove 740m ESE of Blackhill House, Middleton MoorCairn west of Craven Hall HillSection of rubble walling east of Grammar School Cairn, on Cranshaw Thorn HillSmall cup-marked rock 30m east of Glovershaw quarryCarved rock on Cranshaw Thorn Hill above Ilkley Crags, 560m west of Gill Head ReservoirCup marked rock in enclosed pasture NNE of Black PotsCup and ring marked rock next to wall NNW of Black PotsOld BridgeCarved rock in Hawksworth SpringRock with three cup marks 150m south west of Black Beck HoleCup and ring marked rock at Lanshaw; easternmost of Lanshaw groupRecumbent gatepost with cup and ring carving 57m west of the Swastika StoneCup and ring marked rock below Addingham CragCairnfield with rubble banks and carved rocks above Stead CragRock with two large cup marks on slope west of enclosure on Woofa BankProminent rock with one cup mark at apex on ridge between Dryas Dike and Delves Beck 830m ESE of Blackhill House, Middleton MoorCup marked rock and cairn near path 775m ESE of Blackhill House, Middleton MoorCup marked rock and small cairn between Dryas Dike and Foldshaw Ridge 730m ESE of Wards End, Middleton MoorCup and ring marked rock at Faweather Farm, High EldwickTwo prominent cup marked rock outcrops known as Doubler StonesRock with parallel grooves 95m west of flag post on Craven Hall HillCup and ring marked rock 10m south of West RockCarved rock east of track north of Drake HillCarved rock known as the Swastika StoneCairnfield with linear banks and carved rocks stretching from Woofa Bank to Green CragCarved rock 70m south west of Gill Head ReservoirBoulder with prehistoric rock art at Glovershaw FarmProminent cup and ring marked rock on Coarse Stone EdgeRock with cup marks and long groove 750m ESE of Blackhill House, Middleton MoorSite of Roman Fort, Ilkley.Small rock with four cup marks and a large hewn rock with one cupmark on Foldshaw Ridge 830m ESE of Wards End, Middleton MoorTwo cup marked rocks between Dryas Dike and Delves Beck 810m ESE of Blackhill House, Middleton MoorTwo fragments of carved bedrock east of Crocodile Rock, near west end of Hangingstones QuarryRing cairn 90m ESE of the Great Skirtful of StonesRock with many cup marks on ridge between Dryas Dike and Delves Beck 880m ESE of Blackhill House, Middleton MoorThree carved rocks near grouse butts on Foldshaw Ridge 870m ESE of Wards End, Middleton MoorCarved rock known as Planets Rock 180m north east of the Gill Head ReservoirCup marked rock 200m west of Cow and Calf HotelCarved rock and two cairns 180m ESE of the shooting shelter, Middleton Moor EnclosureCup and groove marked rock on slope south of Delves Beck 870m east of Moor End Farm, Middleton MoorCup and ring marked rock between Keighley Gate and Silver Well CottageCup marked rock 47m south east of Rivock Edge triangulation pillarCup and ring marked rock between Spicey Gill and the Ilkley-Keighley roadCup and ring marked rock at Lanshaw; 1km WSW of High Cragg FarmCup and groove marked rock on south slope of High Black Hill, 750m north of March Ghyll Reservoir, Middleton Moor EnclosureCarved rock and associated prehistoric walling above Backstone Beck, 200 WNW of Gill Head ReservoirCup and ring marked rock north of Pennythorn HillCarved rock on Cranshaw Thorn Hill above Ilkley Crags, 465m west of Gill Head ReservoirSmall cup-marked rock on Stanbury Hill, 40m west of fork in pathCup-marked rock in stone quarry on Stocks HillRock with one large cup mark on the south slope of High Black Hill, 330m east of the shooting shelter in Middleton Moor EnclosureRock with shallow cup and ring-markings at the western end of the ridge on Stanbury HillCup and groove marked rock 32m south west of wall near Stead CragCairn known as the Little Skirtful of StonesGroup of four carved rocks in Panorama WoodsTwo adjacent carved rocks and associated rubble bank at top of ridge at Lanshaw overlooking Woofa BankCup and ring marked rock 340m east of Badger StoneRound cairn on east flank of Baildon HillRock with single cup mark in forestry SSE of Black PotsEnclosure on Woofa Bank with 11 carved rocks and one upright stoneWesternmost of two carved rocks under Green Crag west of gas pipelineCup and ring marked rock between track and grouse butt north of Dryas Dike, 620m south of the shooting shelter, Middleton MoorLarge rock with single cup mark at point where path through Green Crag Enclosure reaches top of slopeCup and ring-marked rock north east of a wall junction on the southern flank of RivockEnclosure 50m north east of Horncliff Slade on Hawksworth MoorLow rock with one cup on unforested plateau at RivockCup and groove marked rock near grouse butts on Foldshaw Ridge 905m ESE of Wards End, Middleton MoorCup marked rock near wall below Rivock EdgeLarge rock with single cup mark 130m south east of and overlooking Green Crag EnclosureCarved rock between Backstone Beck and the path to Gillhead 365m south west of Gill Head ReservoirCarved rock 80m NNE of Badger StoneCup and groove-marked rock on Rivock, west of a deep channelSmall cairn and carved rock on ridge at Lanshaw overlooking Woofa BankTwo cup and ring marked rocks in conifer plantation on RivockRock with seven cup marks enclosed by a groove south of Foldshaw Ridge, 490m south of shooting shelter, Middleton MoorCarved rock 110m north east of Badger StoneCup marked rock 39m south east of entrance to Silver Well CottageRock with three cupmarks west of West Rock and 225m south of White WellsCup and ring marked rock on moor east of Gawk StonesCarved rock known as the Barmishaw StoneRock with one cup mark 860m ENE of Wards End, Langbar MoorThree carved rocks opposite St Margaret's ChurchCarved rock in wall of grounds of Overdale Nursing HomeCairnfield including ring cairn and carved rocks on Low Plain, Baildon MoorCup marked rock lying 200m south of and above White WellsCup and ring marked rock 350m SSW of Panorama ReservoirCup marked rock in field south of Stead Hall FarmEnclosure, fieldwalls and cairnfield, including seven carved rocks and an upright stone.Cairn on west flank of High Black Hill, 210m ENE of the shooting shelter in Middleton Moor EnclosureRock with two cup marks south east of quarry at Cow and Calf RocksCarved rock 100m north east of eastern Grainings Head QuarryEnclosure with carved rocks and disturbed cairn known as Green Crag EnclosureRing cairn 475m south east of the Great Skirtful of StonesTwo carved rocks near Neb StoneRock with at least eight cups and two long grooves on ridge between Dryas Dike and Delves Beck 870m ESE of Blackhill House, Middleton MoorCarved rock incorporated in and extending beyond outbuilding at Hardwick House FarmCairnfield, carved rocks and associated curved bank at north west end of Green Crag Slack, east of Gill Head ReservoirRock with two deep cup marks north of track along Foldshaw Ridge, 460m south west of the shooting shelter, Middleton MoorCup marked rock 19m above forestry track in Rivock conifer plantationPartially quarried cup and groove marked rock between track and wall at east end of Foldshaw Ridge, 470m south of the shooting shelter, Middleton MoorCarved rock near wall in pasture below Addingham Crag 290m south of Cragg HouseFlat carved rock 150m south west of Silver Well CottageCup marked rock north of track at east end of Foldshaw Ridge, 470m SSE of the shooting shelter in Middleton Moor EnclosureCarved rock with rounded triangular profile 48m NNW of enclosure on Woofa BankLarge carved rock in the wall between grouse moor and forestry plantation on RivockRound barrow and L-shaped earthwork on Baildon Golf CourseCup marked rock just within afforested area north east of wall on RivockRound cairn and curving bank on Pennythorn HillRock with a complex design of small cup marks and shallow grooves south of Foldshaw Ridge, 440m south of the shooting shelter, Middleton MoorRock in Panorama Woods with single cup and ring carvingFive carved rocks grouped between Dryas Dike and Delves Beck 840m ESE of Blackhill House, Middleton MoorCup, ring and groove marked rock on south slope of High Black Hill, 350m east of the shooting shelter in Middleton Moor EnclosureRock with dense concentration of cup marks on Stanbury HillCarved rock 80m east of Green Crag EnclosureCup marked rock 14m from the wall on the unforested plateau at RivockBolton PrioryLarge carved boulder on eminence between two streams east of Barmishaw WellRock with cup marks and grooves near boundary between Askwith Moor and Denton Moor, 600m east of DunkirkGatepost with cup marks and grooves 350m SSE of West Moor House, at side of road 500m west of Bow BeckLarge carved rock at hill top, north east of line of stone grouse butts on RivockCup and groove-marked rock north of Drake HillLarge cup marked rock west of Green Crag EnclosureCarved rock with multiple rings in path above the Cow and Calf Hotel, 180m west of Highfield HouseNorthernmost of two cairns east of Glovershaw quarry, including adjacent cup-marked rockMedieval settlement and part of the open field system immediately south of Myddleton LodgeCup and ring marked rock known as Langbar Rock 750m ENE of Wards End, Langbar MoorTwelve Apostles stone circle, Burley MoorCarved rock near north east corner of Glovershaw quarryLarge flat rock with single cup mark 20m north west of enclosure on Woofa BankCup and groove marked rock east of New Close Quarry, 300m south west of Whitbeck ManorCup marked rock in forestry furrow on RivockCup and groove marked rock north of Birch Close Farm house, High EldwickCup and groove-marked rock on east edge of Glovershaw quarryRock with four cup marks near relict walling north of Dryas Dike 710m ESE of Wards End, Middleton MoorCup marked rock on slope south of Green Crag EnclosureRock with five cups near Haystack RockLarge rock with cup marks and cup and ring on Foldshaw Ridge 810m ESE of Wards End, Middleton MoorRock with single cup near track north of Drake HillCup-marked rock west of confluence of Lodepit Beck and Glovershaw BeckTwo carved rocks on northern slope of ridge at Lanshaw overlooking Woofa BankCarved rock in a valley on south side of Cranshaw Thorn Hill 460m WSW of Gill Head ReservoirGrubstones stone circleCup, ring and groove marked rock at the base of a wall between East Morton and West MortonCup and ring marked rock 300m NNW of Gill Head ReservoirRock with cup marks in south east face near grouse butts on Foldshaw Ridge 860m ESE of Wards End, Middleton MoorGroup of five carved rocks on the western ridge of Stanbury HillTwo cup marked rocks 220m west of Highfield HouseSmall carved rock in path east of Glovershaw quarryFive carved rocks near the edge of Rivock outcropCup and ring marked rock known as Piper Crag StoneEnclosures, small cairnfield and carved rocks on Pancake RidgeRock with single cup near wall at Stead CragCup marked rock 230m south of and above White WellsGrooved rock on slope at LanshawStriated cup marked rock 20m west of enclosure on Woofa BankCup and groove marked rock in boulder walling between Southpiece Cottage and Bleach MillLarge cup and ring marked rock in forestry furrows on RivockCup marked rock between Doubler Stones and Gawk StonesCarved rock next to the drive of Overdale Nursing HomeRock with cup marks 33m north east of Green Crag EnclosureCup and ring marked rock 42m east of Rivock Edge triangulation pillarCup and grooved marked rock in tree line between New Close Quarry and Poppling Well Beck, 280m south west of Whitbeck ManorThree carved rocks on Long Ridge 420m south east of Wards End, Middleton MoorRock with at least four large cups and a groove north of Dryas Dike 800m ESE of Wards End, Middleton MoorChurchyard cross at the Church of St PeterCarved rock south east of entrance to Silver Well CottageCup and groove marked rock between East Morton and West MortonTwo cup marked rocks in path south east of quarry at Cow and Calf RocksCarved rock known as the Badger StoneCup and Ring marked rock known as the Hanging Stone Rock.

Wildlife in and Around Ilkley

Mammals found in Ilkley

There have been 32 species of mammals recorded in the ilkley area.

(Nyctalus/Eptesicus agg.)
Badger (Meles meles)
Brown Long-Eared Bat (Plecotus auritus)
Chinese Barking Deer (Muntiacus reevesi)
Daubenton's Bat (Myotis daubentonii)
45 Khz Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pipistrellus)
Brown Hare (Lepus europaeus)
Brown Rat (Rattus norvegicus)
Common Shrew (Sorex araneus)
Domestic Cat (Felis catus)

Tap here for more mammals found in and around Ilkley

Birds found in Ilkley

There have been 50 species of birds recorded in the ilkley area.

Barnacle Goose (Branta leucopsis)
Buzzard (Buteo buteo)
Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos)
Dipper (Cinclus cinclus)
Dunlin (Calidris alpina)
Black-Headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)
Common Swift (Apus apus)
Dotterel (Charadrius morinellus)
Feral Pigeon (Columba livia)

Tap here for more birds found in and around Ilkley

Fish found in Ilkley

There have been 14 species of fish recorded in the ilkley area.

American Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis)
Brown Trout (Salmo trutta subsp. fario)
Bullhead (Cottus gobio)
Chub (Squalius cephalus)
Eel (Anguilla anguilla)
Barbel (Barbus barbus)
Brown/Sea Trout (Salmo trutta)
Carp (Cyprinus carpio)
Dace (Leuciscus leuciscus)
Grayling (Thymallus thymallus)

Tap here for more fish found in and around Ilkley

Brett Gregory is an award-winning filmmaker based in Bolton whose production company, Serious Feather, is currently making a documentary about autism and poetry.

As a part of this production, Landscape Britain was asked to advise with regards to the location of specific areas of outstanding natural beauty throughout the region.

Visit www.seriousfeather.com for further information.

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