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An Historical Photographic Archive of National Importance

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  4. Ilkley, Wells House (Hydro) 1900

Ilkley, Wells House (Hydro) 1900
Photo ref: 45146
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Photo ref: 45146
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More about this scene

The £30,000 Wells House Hydro opened in May 1856. Designed by Cuthbert Brodrick, the architect of the Grand Hotel, Scarborough and the Leeds Town Hall, this splendid structure joined Ben Rhydding Hydro in putting Ilkley firmly on the water cure map. Guests were encouraged to walk up to the nearby White Wells and the Tarn, and because of this proximity to the Ilkley Moor, Wells House quickly established itself as a popular recuperation centre. Fresh air, exercise, good food and the majestic interior must have given even the feeblest guest an uplifting experience.

An extract from Ilkley Town and City Memories.

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Featuring this image:

Ilkley Town and City Memories

Ilkley Town and City Memories

The photo 'Ilkley, Wells House (Hydro) 1900' appears in this book.

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A Selection of Memories from Ilkley

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our website to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was, prompted by the photographs in our archive. Here are some from Ilkley

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Valley Road In 1939
I'm researching my family tree which has in turn led me to 1 Valley Road, Ilkley from 1939 onwards. Is there anyone that has ever heard of or even has memories of a Frederick Wood and Ophelia Wood who lived at number 1. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.
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Added 28 June 2021

Semon Emergency Maternity Home
Hello, this is not a memory but a chance to connect with someone who might have known a Joan Millicent Knox in 1944, she had a daughter who was born in the home and put her up for adoption and at 6 weeks of age she was adopted by a couple from Bradford. Joan lived and worked in Bradford as a worsted spinner. I'm asking for help as through DNA matching she is somewhere related to my husbands fathers side of ...see more
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Added 24 June 2019

Ben Rhydding
I moved to Ben Rhydding at a year old and grew up there with my brother and sister. We loved living there, exploring the river and the moors. I distinctly remember the large detached house Thornycroft when it was still owned by a wealthy family. I visited them frequently to walk their two dogs, Puffin and Brandy. They still had their croquet lawn, a very large, exotic greenhouse and the old servants' quarters. We ...see more
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Added 15 April 2019

Semons Home
I also was born there in April 1943. I have memories of my father telling me of him walking along a canal bank so he could visit my mother, when he was on leave! Would like to know exactly where it was siituated, so I could visit the area. Always tell my family I was born on Ilkey moors!
Semon Emergency Maternity Hospital
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Added 29 September 2018

More about Image Optimisation

All our photos are printed as optimised versions of their originals, this process can take anything from 15 minutes to several hours. This ensures that the product you get shows the true quality that Frith photos are renowned for.

Example of image retouching:

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Genealogy & Research Images

Despite over 20 years’ work on the archive, these scans have still not been individually checked and may prove to be damaged, faded, or not of sufficient quality to ever be offered in our full product range. However, if you would particularly like to buy one of these please get in touch quoting the Frith negative number,(s) the town name and size of print you would like to buy. On receipt of your enquiry our archivist will check the scan and advise you if the quality is good enough.

What is an Album?

An album is a way to save a selection of Frith photos, maps and memories that are of interest to you.

Creating an Album enables you to make short lists and then make a final selection from the album. In particular it makes ordering things like calendars much easier - simply create an Album of the 12 photos you like and then use the Album when placng your order - our order process will give you this option.

You can create as many Albums as you want, so perhaps make one for your hometown, where you live now, where your parents live now etc.