Ilkley, the Tarn 1923 (ref. 74476) | There are two tarns on the part of the moor by Ilkley shown in 45157A, pages 68-69, both within easy walking distance of the town. The one in this photograph is both lower and larger, and more accessible. Victorian children search for tiddlers, while their elders consider their constitution. During the winter months, the tarn occasionally freezes, and this must have delighted the Victorian ice-skaters. In 74476 we are above the Tarn looking out over the Wharfe Valley. Craiglands is on the right, while on the far left Wells House can be glimpsed. |  Add your own Memory
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Ilkley, the Moors 1914 (ref. 67335) | On the way up to the White Wells, a man and his dog pause to drink in the dramatic view. Meanwhile the ladies sense the Tearoom just around the corner. This small white building still stands, although in a rather dilapidated state. Added to the White Wells in 1829, it was used as the Charity Bath. | Add your own Memory
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Ilkley, White Wells and Moorland Inn 1921 (ref. 71275) | The Wells House Hydro on the right of these views gives an idea of how compact the town is. A stroll up to the wells remains a great attraction, although sadly Mrs Williamson's café was pulled down in the 1960s. | Add your own Memory
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Ilkley, the Moors 1906 (ref. 56482) | This captivating view was taken looking towards the top of the 1,320-feet-high Rombalds Moor and shows White Wells at top right. The rustic bridge, now rather more plain, points the path towards Panorama rocks, from where visitors could complete their circular tour of southern Ilkley, down Heber's Ghyll, passing the Chalybeate springs on the way. | Add your own Memory
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Ilkley, White Wells c1955 (ref. I6010) | This photograph captures the very essence of Ilkley - the moors, the town nestling in the valley and the gentle slopes of Middleton in the distance. | Add your own Memory
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Ilkley, the Moors 1914 (ref. 67333) | Behind the Cow and Calf rocks is this desolate valley from where most of the stone to build the town was quarried. Hangingstone Quarry was the site of a huge enterprise that saw the destruction of the giant Bull Rock. The massive rocks were taken down Cowpasture Road to stone breaking yards around Ash Grove. | Add your own Memory
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Ilkley, Denton Park from the Cow and Calf Rocks 1914 (ref. 67330) | This young man looks out from between these famous rocks towards the magnificent estate of Denton Park. | Add your own Memory
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Ilkley, the Moors 1914 (ref. 67339) | Up above the Cow and Calf rocks is more evidence of quarrying, but in this photograph the heather softens the scene for the Edwardian picnickers taking in the valley view, top right. | Add your own Memory
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Ilkley, the Town 1900 (ref. 45162A) | A hundred years after this photograph was taken, there appears to have been little change to the overall shape of the town, for Ilkley today retains the charm of the Wharfe Valley and the splendour of Rombalds moor. This vista from Middleton clearly illustrates how the town has skilfully avoided any urban sprawl. From the Cow and Calf rocks, top left, down past the Ben Rhydding Hydro, and then along the Grove with the Spa Hydro, Ilkley must have been a breathtaking experience for turn of the century visitors, who were perhaps more used to the cramped and smoky surroundings of the industrial West Ridings. | Add your own Memory
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Ilkley, view of Swastika Stone 1914 (ref. 67341) | In this photograph you can see the top of the Semon Convalescent Home just beyond the reservoir. A fair walk westwards then brings you to the Swastika Stone, which is unique in this country. Other examples have been found in Tossene in Sweden and Mycenae in Greece and all depict fertility and religious symbols. The council placed the iron railing around the site in 1913. | Add your own Memory
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Ilkley, Ben Rhydding 1886 (ref. 18562) | We are now high above the famous Cow and Calf Rocks looking down the eastern side of Ilkley with the Ben Rhydding Hydro dominating the original hamlet of Wheatley, which was renamed once the hydro opened for business on 29 May 1844. Costing £30,000, this was the very first purpose built hydro in this country. | Add your own Memory
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Ilkley, Cow and Calf Rocks 1921 (ref. 71283) | It is well worth the effort to climb up these rocks: you're on top of the world, if a little weary and overheated. Luckily, just below refreshments are to hand at the Cow and Calf Inn, formerly known as the Highfield. | Add your own Memory
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Ilkley, the Grove 1921 (ref. 71265) | Ten years and one world war later, time seems to have stood still in the town. We can see the horse carriage gently manoeuvring out of Brook Street, only pausing for a few solitary cars. Hargreaves' cycle shop on the left appears to be bravely ignoring the impending domination of the Grove by the automobile. | Add your own Memory
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Ilkley, the Grove c1965 (ref. I6096) | Shown here, just past the Congregational Church, is the lower part of the cultivated gardens of the Convalescent Hospital. Colourful flower beds provided relaxing views and the seats helped to rest weary legs after an energetic march up to the moors. An attractive bandstand has since been constructed on the lower part of the hospital gardens. On the north side of the Grove, the cars in this view are no longer all black, with the range of shapes and colours reflects the democratisation of driving. | Add your own Memory
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Ilkley, Chalybeate Spring 1921 (ref. 71273) | On the western fringe of the town, a very pleasant walk leads up the wooded valley to Panorama rocks. Just below the moors is this rustic old well in Heber's Ghyll. The land was given to the town in 1887 by the Lord of the Manor, Charles Marmaduke Middleton. | Add your own Memory
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Ilkley, Brook Street 1911 (ref. 63557) | In this photograph, taken a few years after 56473 (pages 30-31), horse carriages still await their fares in the centre of Brook Street. Just opposite are the offices of the Wharfedale Moor Cab Company, now demolished. Nearby is the site of the forthcoming 1930s Woolworth store and 1980s redevelopment. Down past the latticed railway bridge is the new road over the bridge to Middleton. At this time, before the First World War, the town is still very relaxed. | Add your own Memory
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Ilkley, Brook Street c1965 (ref. I6079) | Ford, Morris, Hillman and Triumph - all the big automobile names are represented here as the town becomes accustomed to the motor age. Banking premises have started to squeeze out independent retailers, while the Woolworth store heralds the era of bargain shopping. However, the town still considers the comforts of the individual visitor through the provision of seats and flowerbeds. By the time this photo was taken the railway had closed. The Beeching plan axed the Otley to Skipton line via Ilkley with the final through train on Saturday 20th March 1965. Buffer stops were added to the Ilkley station on 3rd January 1966 and the eighty year old bridge over Brook Street was demolished, with work starting at 5am on Sunday 10th July 1966. | Add your own Memory
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Ilkley, the Saxon Crosses 1916 (ref. 67326) | Ilkley's fort was effectively abandoned in the years AD122-125. Never again did it hold much importance, its stature being much reduced when it was rebuilt as a signal station. By AD410, all remaining troops were withdrawn as the Romans trudged back to deal with unrest in their homelands. Many artefacts have been since found within the site of the fort. Archaeological surveys were held in 1919-1922 and again in the early sixties. You can see the Roman remains of Olicana in both the Manor House Museum next to the parish church, and in the Skipton Museum. | Add your own Memory
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Ilkley, the Parish Church and Saxon Crosses c1955 (ref. I6001) | The parish church of All Saints hides its history well. At first glance, the architecture is 19th century and confirms the rebuilding during 1860. However, the saxon crosses suggest a much earlier history. The porch to the church dates back to Norman times (13th century), the aisle from the 14th and the tower from the 15th century. A church is believed to have existed on this site in Saxon times circa AD700-800. Certainly the site was once the location of the Roman fort of Olicana, started in AD80 and rebuilt in stone during the 4th century. | Add your own Memory
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Ilkley, All Saints Church, the Norman Porch 1911 (ref. 63568) | This ornate Norman porch was expertly incorporated as a detail into the main body of the rebuilt church. To extend the nave during this rebuilding, the porch was moved, stone by stone, some ten feet towards the main road. | Add your own Memory
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