Stephanie’s guidebook
Neighbourhoods
The picturesque town of Ilkley is situated just a 5 minute drive or train ride from Burley in Wharfedale
The town is famous for its moor and you'll find fantastic countryside and walks for all abilities on your doorstep. The town is also home to one of the largest cycling clubs in the country.
Ilkley is the ideal place to relax and treat yourself. There are excellent restaurants and independent shops selling everything from gifts to vintage clothes and books. Enjoy afternoon tea at the famous Bettys Cafe and Tea Rooms or enjoy one of the many events which take place throughout the year.
There are a number of events through the year such as Ilkley Literature Festival, Ilkley Summer Festival and Real Food Ilkley Markets.
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Ilkley
The picturesque town of Ilkley is situated just a 5 minute drive or train ride from Burley in Wharfedale
The town is famous for its moor and you'll find fantastic countryside and walks for all abilities on your doorstep. The town is also home to one of the largest cycling clubs in the country.
Ilkley is the ideal place to relax and treat yourself. There are excellent restaurants and independent shops selling everything from gifts to vintage clothes and books. Enjoy afternoon tea at the famous Bettys Cafe and Tea Rooms or enjoy one of the many events which take place throughout the year.
There are a number of events through the year such as Ilkley Literature Festival, Ilkley Summer Festival and Real Food Ilkley Markets.
Wander around the quaint cobbled streets. Browse the independent shops: antiques, unique gifts, art, jewellery and lots more. Wash down the award-winning pork pies with real ale in one of the many historic pubs. Picnic by our riverside. Hike to the top of The Chevin for a breathtaking view across the Wharfedale valley. Bring your bike and cycle in the tracks of the Tour de Yorkshire, only 5 minutes drive from Burley
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Otley
Wander around the quaint cobbled streets. Browse the independent shops: antiques, unique gifts, art, jewellery and lots more. Wash down the award-winning pork pies with real ale in one of the many historic pubs. Picnic by our riverside. Hike to the top of The Chevin for a breathtaking view across the Wharfedale valley. Bring your bike and cycle in the tracks of the Tour de Yorkshire, only 5 minutes drive from Burley
City/town information
The unofficial capital of Yorkshire. A city at the heart of the action, bursting with life and cultural energy. A vibrant creative community, with award-winning national theatre and dance companies, a world-class arena, and a thriving independent food scene you won’t find anywhere else. A renowned retail destination, where big brands meet Victorian arcades. And a welcoming host for international sporting events, colourful carnivals, and a packed calendar of festivals and events. A skyline filled with breathtaking architecture, and a destination easily reached by road and rail from Burley in Wharfedale
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Leeds
The unofficial capital of Yorkshire. A city at the heart of the action, bursting with life and cultural energy. A vibrant creative community, with award-winning national theatre and dance companies, a world-class arena, and a thriving independent food scene you won’t find anywhere else. A renowned retail destination, where big brands meet Victorian arcades. And a welcoming host for international sporting events, colourful carnivals, and a packed calendar of festivals and events. A skyline filled with breathtaking architecture, and a destination easily reached by road and rail from Burley in Wharfedale
o explore York is to explore 2000 years of history, from the ancient walls of Roman York to the Viking remains of JORVIK and the grandeur of Georgian York. Delve into York’s heritage, discover hidden attractions off the beaten track, enjoy a vivid food and drink scene and wander in and out of contemporary independent shops. Offering more attractions per square mile than any other destination in the UK, you’re never more than a short walk from one of York's awe inspiring offerings. Plus, the city’s varied and vibrant calendar of events and festivals means there's always something just around the corner.
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York
o explore York is to explore 2000 years of history, from the ancient walls of Roman York to the Viking remains of JORVIK and the grandeur of Georgian York. Delve into York’s heritage, discover hidden attractions off the beaten track, enjoy a vivid food and drink scene and wander in and out of contemporary independent shops. Offering more attractions per square mile than any other destination in the UK, you’re never more than a short walk from one of York's awe inspiring offerings. Plus, the city’s varied and vibrant calendar of events and festivals means there's always something just around the corner.
Knaresborough is full of surprises, a warren of medieval streets and stone staircases that weave their way up and down the hill. The town centre is perched on the cliffs above the River Nidd and the imposing railway viaduct across the Nidd Gorge offers an amazing view to visitors as they arrive by train.
The market place in the centre of the town offers a great place to enjoy a cup of tea or something delicious and home baked. On a Wednesday stalls fill the maket place offering tasty produce, whole foods, plants and flowers, as well pretty much anything else you can imagine, in the ever popular Knaresborough Market.
At the base of the cliffs on which the town sits, you will find a delightful promenade that traps the sun in summer, with a coastal feel despite being more than 60 miles from the sea making a great place to enjoy an ice-cream or indulge in the tradition English pastime of ‘simply mucking about in boats’.
The largest event is the annual Great Knaresborough Bed Race which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. Often copied but never beaten the race sees a number of teams pushing their elaborately decorated beds along a demanding course around the town, including a challenging river crossing and the long climb up for a lap of the market place. The event is enveloped by a festival atmosphere as crowds cheer on the teams.
The annual Festival of Entertainment and Visual Arts, or FEVA is a highlight of the summer and includes some sensational events from plays and comedy to an urban beach and a range of street entertainment.
Mother Shipton’s Cave and Petrifying Well is thought to be England’s oldest tourist attraction and was once the home of Knaresborough’s mysterious prophetess who died in 1561. This pretty riverside location also includes the petrifying well, where numerous artefacts have been turned to stone over the years.
Knaresborough Castle sits above the river and gorge, in a commanding position with spectacular views. The castle ravens can be seen on summer days, each with their own distinctive character and charm. The castle is a dramatic feature on the cliff tops and was sketched then painted by JMW Turner
The spotted house of Knaresborough was one of the iconic images from the 2014 Grand Depart of the Tour de France, and the house is still decorated with decorations relating to the time of year. This year the Tour de Yorkshire will take the peloton of the world best cyclists past the spotted house again!
The Nidd Gorge is a beautiful wooded landscape just upstream of the town, rich in wildlife and following the winding course of the river Nidd. The Nidd Gorge makes a great spot for walks, picnics and wildlife watching for all the family.
Jump on the bike and go for a ride; the Beryl Burton Cycle Way is a Sustrans route allowing cyclists to ride to Harrogate, Bilton and Ripley by traffic free routes. With a stunning view from atop the grade II listed Nidd Valley Viaduct, idyllic paths through fields and the odd pub along the way.
The town sits on the A59 between York and Harrogate, a convenient east-west road that also connects to the A1M just few miles away. Regular rail services provide a convenient connection to Harrogate, York and Leeds
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Knaresborough
Knaresborough is full of surprises, a warren of medieval streets and stone staircases that weave their way up and down the hill. The town centre is perched on the cliffs above the River Nidd and the imposing railway viaduct across the Nidd Gorge offers an amazing view to visitors as they arrive by train.
The market place in the centre of the town offers a great place to enjoy a cup of tea or something delicious and home baked. On a Wednesday stalls fill the maket place offering tasty produce, whole foods, plants and flowers, as well pretty much anything else you can imagine, in the ever popular Knaresborough Market.
At the base of the cliffs on which the town sits, you will find a delightful promenade that traps the sun in summer, with a coastal feel despite being more than 60 miles from the sea making a great place to enjoy an ice-cream or indulge in the tradition English pastime of ‘simply mucking about in boats’.
The largest event is the annual Great Knaresborough Bed Race which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. Often copied but never beaten the race sees a number of teams pushing their elaborately decorated beds along a demanding course around the town, including a challenging river crossing and the long climb up for a lap of the market place. The event is enveloped by a festival atmosphere as crowds cheer on the teams.
The annual Festival of Entertainment and Visual Arts, or FEVA is a highlight of the summer and includes some sensational events from plays and comedy to an urban beach and a range of street entertainment.
Mother Shipton’s Cave and Petrifying Well is thought to be England’s oldest tourist attraction and was once the home of Knaresborough’s mysterious prophetess who died in 1561. This pretty riverside location also includes the petrifying well, where numerous artefacts have been turned to stone over the years.
Knaresborough Castle sits above the river and gorge, in a commanding position with spectacular views. The castle ravens can be seen on summer days, each with their own distinctive character and charm. The castle is a dramatic feature on the cliff tops and was sketched then painted by JMW Turner
The spotted house of Knaresborough was one of the iconic images from the 2014 Grand Depart of the Tour de France, and the house is still decorated with decorations relating to the time of year. This year the Tour de Yorkshire will take the peloton of the world best cyclists past the spotted house again!
The Nidd Gorge is a beautiful wooded landscape just upstream of the town, rich in wildlife and following the winding course of the river Nidd. The Nidd Gorge makes a great spot for walks, picnics and wildlife watching for all the family.
Jump on the bike and go for a ride; the Beryl Burton Cycle Way is a Sustrans route allowing cyclists to ride to Harrogate, Bilton and Ripley by traffic free routes. With a stunning view from atop the grade II listed Nidd Valley Viaduct, idyllic paths through fields and the odd pub along the way.
The town sits on the A59 between York and Harrogate, a convenient east-west road that also connects to the A1M just few miles away. Regular rail services provide a convenient connection to Harrogate, York and Leeds
Sightseeing
Walk in Queen Victoria's footsteps at Harewood House
A young Princess Victoria visited Harewood House in 1835 shortly before her coronation, and the grand country house is still lived in by her direct descendent. Explore its breath-taking Lancelot “Capability” Brown landscape and acres of formal gardens, take tea on the idyllic Terrace, or take in the splendour of the State Rooms filled with original Chippendale furniture.
Its also the perfect day out for the family, with a bird garden, farm experience, boat ride across the lake and children play ground.
Harewood House is just a 30 minute drive from Burley in wharfedale
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Harewood hús
Walk in Queen Victoria's footsteps at Harewood House
A young Princess Victoria visited Harewood House in 1835 shortly before her coronation, and the grand country house is still lived in by her direct descendent. Explore its breath-taking Lancelot “Capability” Brown landscape and acres of formal gardens, take tea on the idyllic Terrace, or take in the splendour of the State Rooms filled with original Chippendale furniture.
Its also the perfect day out for the family, with a bird garden, farm experience, boat ride across the lake and children play ground.
Harewood House is just a 30 minute drive from Burley in wharfedale
An amazing collection of weird and wonderful rock formations: a great day out for families, climbers and those who love the outdoors.
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Brimham Rocks Road
Brimham Rocks RoadAn amazing collection of weird and wonderful rock formations: a great day out for families, climbers and those who love the outdoors.
Food scene
The best in Spanish classics and contemporary tapas dishes, cocktails and wines in Boston Spa, Horsforth, Ilkley, Leeds and Skipton
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La Casita Ilkley
3-5 Cunliffe RdThe best in Spanish classics and contemporary tapas dishes, cocktails and wines in Boston Spa, Horsforth, Ilkley, Leeds and Skipton
Iconic restaurant set in a charming sandstone cottage, with a plush, antique-furnished lounge and two luxurious dining rooms; it celebrated 50 years in 2012. Cooking is refined and skilful, with a classical French base, and dishes are light and delicate. Only the best ingredients are used.
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The Box Tree Restaurant
35-37 Church StIconic restaurant set in a charming sandstone cottage, with a plush, antique-furnished lounge and two luxurious dining rooms; it celebrated 50 years in 2012. Cooking is refined and skilful, with a classical French base, and dishes are light and delicate. Only the best ingredients are used.
Right across the road this is one of Burleys gems, eat in or take out, a great curry, quality ingredients, super friendly staff
Moghul
111 Main StRight across the road this is one of Burleys gems, eat in or take out, a great curry, quality ingredients, super friendly staff