Ilkley Moor Yorkshire

Ilkley Moor, Yorkshire

On Ilkla Moor Baht 'at - Yorkshire's Anthem

Jake Davies

Looking down on Ilkley from the lower slopes of Ilkley Moor. — Looking down on Ilkley from the lower slopes of Ilkley Moor

On Ilkla Moor Baht 'at, is the title of a folk song from Yorkshire which in standard English translates as On Ilkley Moor without a Hat.

The song is known as the unofficial anthem of Yorkshire and tells of a maiden chiding her lover who meets her on the moor without wearing a hat, and that this will surely lead to his death. Ilkley Moor is a part of Rombalds Moor.

White Wells, the only remaining spa in the Ilkley Moor area. — White Wells, the only remaining spa in the Ilkley Moor area

Goods From Japan delivered to your home or business. — Goods From Japan delivered to your home or business

Large areas of the moor are covered in heather which become purple in summer when blooming. — Large areas of the moor are covered in heather which become purple in summer when blooming

Rombalds Moor

Rombalds Moor lies between the Airedale and Wharfedale valleys in West Yorkshire. The town of Ilkley is at the base of its northern slopes and Keighley to the south. Ilkley Moor is the part of Rombalds Moor that lies adjacent to the town of Ilkley, though the name Ilkley Moor is often used to refer to the whole of Rombalds Moor.

The moor rises 244 meters above the surrounding land and reaches an elevation of 402 meters, 1,319 ft above sea level.

Depending on the weather conditions, expansive views can be had from atop the moor including to the Yorkshire Dales in the northeast and Leeds in the opposite direction.

The moor measures about 10 km by 5 km, and within this area, 1,670 acres are protected moorland. Criss-crossed by dozens of footpaths and trails, the moor is a mecca for strollers, walkers, ramblers, and hikers of all ages and abilities. There are routes for walks of differing lengths from just an hour or to all day hikes.

Many of the walks visit specific sites and features of natural or historical interest.

While many of the footpaths on the moor can be muddy, some sections are laid with flagstones. — While many of the footpaths on the moor can be muddy, some sections are laid with flagstones

Landscape

There are many areas with exposed rocks and rock formations, the most famous being the Cow & Calf, so named because a smaller outcropping lies adjacent to a larger.

Being relatively close to the town itself, and with a car park and even the Cow & Calf pub nearby, it is one of the most visited sites on the moor. There are numerous other stones and boulders, most with evocative names like Haystack Rock, Pancake Rock, Great Skirtful of Stones, Ilkley Crags, Stanza Stone, etc.

Twelve Apostles stone circle on Ilkley Moor. — Twelve Apostles stone circle on Ilkley Moor

Ancient humans have left their marks upon many of these stones, in fact Rombalds Moor has the second-highest concentration of ancient carved stones in all of Europe.

Believed to have been made between 2,500 and 3,500 years ago, the vast majority are what are known as "up and ring marks", the meaning of which has never been established, though there are other designs, the most famous known as The Swastika Stone.

One of the more recent rock carvings found on Ilkley Moor. — One of the more recent rock carvings found on Ilkley Moor

Swastika Stone

The Swastika Stone has a modern reproduction close by which makes the markings easier to see. Some of the hieroglyphs though are of a more recent vintage, and in essence are Victorian graffiti.

Further evidence of ancient human presence on the moor are several stone circles including the Grubstone Circle and the larger Twelve Apostles.

While many species of bird and sometimes even deer can be spotted on Ilkley Moor, you are almost guaranteed to spy numerous sheep. — While many species of bird and sometimes even deer can be spotted on Ilkley Moor, you are almost guaranteed to spy numerous sheep

Healing Water

In the 18th century Ilkley became known for the supposed healing quality of its water, and after the building of several establishments offering water cures of various kinds Ilkley became a spa town.

White Wells is located on the slopes of the moor overlooking the town below. The first bath was built here in 1700, outside the current white-walled Spa Cottage. In 1791 two baths were dug and surrounded on three side by walls but with no roof. The most famous visitor to the baths was Charles Darwin, in 1859. Currently just one plunge pool remains, now inside an extension of the cottage. By arrangement the pool can still be used, and the cottage houses a cafe.

Trails lead up onto the moor from all sides, but Ilkley town itself is one of the best starting points.

Care should be taken check weather forecasts and to wear suitable footwear and clothing, and, of course, that should include a hat.

Farmland and woodland east of Ilkley Moor. — Farmland and woodland east of Ilkley Moor

Access - Getting to Leeds

Leeds City Station is the city's main station and one of the busiest stations in England outside London with intercity and local Metro trains. Leeds Station is located just south of City Square.

There are First TransPennine Express trains to Newcastle, Manchester Piccadilly Station in Manchester, as well as Manchester Airport and Liverpool Lime Street. Other connections include trains to Hull and Middlesbrough.

Northern has trains to York Station in York, Blackpool North, Bradford, Manchester Victoria, Huddersfield, Selby, Sheffield, Carlisle and Ilkley.

East Coast has trains to King's Cross Station in London, Waverley Station in Edinburgh, Glasgow Central in Glasgow, Peterborough, Hull and Darlington.

There are CrossCountry connections to Nottingham, Birmingham New Street Station in Birmingham, and from there to Cardiff in Wales, and Exeter in Devon.

The National Express bus station in Leeds is behind Kirkgate Market.

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