Ilkley sits just a few miles from Ghyll House Campsite, and it is one of the best reasons to base yourself here. From a big summer carnival to riverside picnics and a little spa cottage up on the moor, there are plenty of things to do in Ilkley whatever the weather. Here are some of our favourites.
Things to do in Ilkley this summer: the big events
The town’s calendar really fills up over the summer. Ilkley Carnival brings a themed parade through the streets followed by an afternoon on East Holmes Field — a funfair, a fun dog show, donkey rides, Punch & Judy, circus skills and dozens of food and craft stalls. The Ilkley Food & Drink Festival takes over the riverside in June with live music and local producers. It is always worth checking the Ilkley events listings for this year’s dates before you travel.
White Wells and the moor
Look up from the town and you will spot White Wells, the little whitewashed spa cottage on the edge of Ilkley Moor. It was built in the 1700s around a natural spring, and you can still see the old plunge pool; there is a café open on fine weekends. It is an easy stroll up from town, or part of a longer wander across the moor from the campsite.
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Down by the river
The River Wharfe runs right through Ilkley, and the Riverside Gardens are made for a lazy afternoon — a picnic on the grass, a paddle by the old bridge and stepping stones, and an ice cream in the sun. In spring the blossom along the river is gorgeous.
The Manor House Museum
Tucked beside the parish church, Ilkley Manor House is one of the oldest buildings in town, built within the walls of a Roman fort. Today it is a free museum and gallery with changing exhibitions — a lovely spot for a rainy hour. Check opening times on the Manor House website.
Bettys, Brook Street and the shops
No trip to Ilkley is complete without tea and a fat rascal at Bettys, the town’s famous café and tea rooms. The Grove and Brook Street are full of independent shops, delis and bookshops — and in spring the cherry blossom along Brook Street is one of the prettiest sights in town.
The Cow and Calf
And of course there are the Cow and Calf rocks, the great gritstone outcrop on the moor above town. It is a short drive or a good stiff walk, popular with climbers, and the views over Wharfedale at sunset are hard to beat — as the photo at the top of this page shows.
Getting to Ilkley from the campsite
On foot, over the top. The most rewarding way in is over the moor. From the campsite you can follow the tops past the Swastika Stone and drop down through the wooded valley of Heber’s Ghyll, or take the gentler walk down into Ilkley. Bringing the dog? Have a read of our guide to dog walking on the moor first.
By train or bus. Ilkley has its own railway station on the Wharfedale line, with regular trains from Leeds and Bradford Forster Square, and buses serve the town and nearby Addingham — it is worth checking current times before you set off.
By car. The only free parking is down by the river, near the Riverside pub, and it fills up fast on a sunny day. In the town centre itself parking is paid — including on the roadside — so head for one of the pay-and-display car parks, which take the RingGo app if you would rather pay by phone.
With this much on the doorstep, the only hard part is fitting it all in. Book a pitch or a teepee and make the campsite your base — or settle into one of our glamping teepees — and take your pick of things to do in Ilkley. For more ideas straight from the site, see our guide to walking the dog on the moor and the walk to the Swastika Stone.