Ilkley West Yorkshire Map

About Ilkley

Ilkley rests where the rich agricultural plains of the Wharfe Valley begin to rise towards the dramatic expanse of the moors. It lies 7.6 km east of Silsden (from Silsden: bearing 82°T, OS grid SE 117 476), and is situated south-south-west of Middleton village. For centuries, Ilkley has been a place of passage and settlement, its history stretching back to Roman times, evidenced by the remains of a fort. Later, it prospered as a market town, its economy diversifying from agriculture into the Victorian era with the advent of spa tourism, drawing visitors to its mineral springs. The River Wharfe, a constant presence, has shaped the landscape and the fortunes of Ilkley, its waters once powering local mills. The distinctive silhouette of the Cow and Calf rocks, iconic outcrops on Ilkley Moor, offers a constant reminder of the wildness that lies just beyond the town's edges. This proximity to the moor lends Ilkley a bracing character, a quality that perhaps drew the poet laureate John Betjeman, who found inspiration in its surroundings. The town's association with health and well-being continues to this day, with the Ilkley Moor Folk Festival celebrating local traditions and the enduring spirit of the place, a spirit reflected in the clear, crisp air that often hangs over the valley.

About This Ilkley Map Page

Explore Ilkley, West Yorkshire, with an embedded street and satellite map - switch between views using the small square in the bottom left-hand corner of the map. Coordinates: 53.924486, -1.823140. Live weather conditions and 7-day forecasts are provided through Open-Meteo, while real-time local and world news feeds help keep the page current. Wikipedia and editorial summaries provide additional local information and context.

Location data is sourced from OS Open Names © Crown copyright and database rights 2024, Ordnance Survey, Open Government Licence v3.0, and verified by coordinates.