Ilkley Moor

Ilkely Moor

After having relaxed from our trip to Bridlington and having had supper, we went for a early evening drive to Ilkely Moor.

Cow and Calf

High above the spa town of Ilkley is Ikley Moor. Here I saw what is known as Cow and Calf. The "Cow" is a large outcrop of Millstone Grit, the "Calf" being a smaller bolder at its foot.

This place is very popular with climbers and walkers. It's not surprising that the evening we visited, there were many people taking in the breathtaking views over Lower Wharfedale.

We went on top of the rock next to the Cow to get these pictures. What an awesome view. Ilkley is a spa town located in lower Wharfedale at the southern edge of the Yorkshire Dales. It isn't far from Leeds and Bradford yet it makes you feel like you're in the country. Some of the houses on Ikley Moor have to be seen to be believed. They were traditional English homes with beautiful flower gardens within the stone walls. Sheep grazed unfazed by all the walkers.

View of Ilkley

View atop Cow and Calf

The Moor has this famous whitewashed building known as White Wells. It contains a bath which is said to date from Roman times. During the Roman occupation Ilkley was an important outpost to them known as Olicana. There is a Victorian bath house in the town itself, and Ilkley Pool and Lido is one of the country's last remaining outdoor public swimming pools.

Just to the north of Ilkley lies Bolton Abbey and the beautiful Yorkshire Dales National Park. Ilkley is also the starting point of the Dales Way - a long distance footpath, which passes by Bolton Abbey and up through Wharfedale en route to Bowness on Windermere in the English Lake District.

Sunset over Ilkley Moor

Travel Diary II

Hebden Bridge