Ilkley is an attractive ward on the edge of the metropolitan district of Bradford in West Yorkshire, England, sitting where the town meets the open moorland of Ilkley Moor and the sweeping bend of the River Wharfe. Its landscape is dominated by the famous Cow and Calf rocks and the moor’s gritstone skyline, giving the area a strong outdoor and scenic identity as it fringes the Yorkshire Dales.
Historically a spa and Victorian resort with Roman roots, Ilkley today combines a tourism and leisure economy with a well‑heeled residential community and commuter links to Leeds and Bradford. The town centre is noted for independent shops, cafes and cultural events such as the long‑running literature festival, while good schools, recreational facilities and easy access to countryside walks make it a sought‑after part of the district.
Postcode districts covering Ilkley
Most populated places nearby
- Leeds 14.1 miles22.7 km
- Bradford 9.8 miles15.7 km
- Burnley 19.6 miles31.5 km
- Huddersfield 19.1 miles30.7 km
- Wakefield 21.3 miles34.3 km
- Harrogate 12.3 miles19.8 km
- Halifax 13.7 miles22 km
- Castleford 24 miles38.7 km
- Morley 15.1 miles24.4 km
- Dewsbury 18.1 miles29.2 km
- Batley 15.9 miles25.5 km
- Keighley 5.2 miles8.4 km
Neighbouring places
- Ilkley Built-up area 0.3 miles0.5 km
- Middleton Parish 1.3 miles2.1 km
- Denton Parish 1.9 miles3 km
- Nesfield with Langbar Parish 2.2 miles3.5 km
- Addingham Built-up area 2.8 miles4.6 km
- Burley Parish 3 miles4.8 km
- Burley in Wharfedale Built-up area 3.2 miles5.1 km
- Wharfedale Ward 3.4 miles5.4 km
- Beamsley Parish 3.6 miles5.7 km
- Askwith Parish 3.6 miles5.9 km
- East Morton Built-up area 3.7 miles6 km
- Craven Ward 4 miles6.4 km
Example postcodes in Ilkley
LS29 8SE, LS29 8SU, LS29 8HB, LS29 9TJ, LS29 0AP, LS29 8BQ, LS29 9HP, LS29 0WP, LS29 9AH … See all
Transport links
- Leeds Bradford International Airport 7.8 miles12.6 km
- Durham Tees Valley Airport 43.3 miles69.7 km
- Ilkley Railway Station 0.1 miles0.2 km
- Ben Rhydding Railway Station 1.1 miles1.7 km
- Leeds Bradford Airport Bus Station 7.8 miles12.5 km
Hotels in Ilkley Ad
- The Wheatley Arms
- The Cow & Calf by Innkeeper's Collection 4
- Ilkley Riverside Hotel 3
- The Craiglands Hotel Sure Hotel Collection 3
Schools in Ilkley
- All Saints' C of E Primary School Primary
- Ashlands Primary School Primary
- Ben Rhydding Primary School Primary
- Ilkley Grammar School Secondary
- Moorfield School & Nursery Independent - primary
- The Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School Primary
Local points of interest
- Bolton Abbey Historic site 4.7 miles7.6 km
- Esholt Priory Historic site 6.7 miles10.8 km
- Barden Tower Archaeological site 7.7 miles12.3 km
- Bronte Parsonage Museum Museum 8.5 miles13.7 km
- Valley Parade Stadium 8.8 miles14.2 km
- The University of Bradford University 9.6 miles15.4 km
- National Media Museum Museum 9.7 miles15.7 km
- Daffy Wood Forest 10.2 miles16.5 km
- Spring Wood Forest 10.3 miles16.5 km
- Clayton Wood Forest 10.5 miles16.9 km
- Bewerley Hall Estate 11.1 miles17.8 km
- Gotts Park Mansion Country house 12.3 miles19.9 km