Make the most out of your day in this picturesque town nestled in the Wharfe Valley with our insider's guide to the best things to eat, drink and do in Ilkley.
Fancy escaping the hustle and bustle of the city for a day away in the countryside?
Then Ilkley is the place for you. Only a 25 minute train ride away from Leeds, Ilkley is a quaint town drenched in history with lots to explore.
The area’s often named as one of the best places to live in the UK — and with so much to offer and the Yorkshire dales on your doorstep, it’s easy to see why.
Stuck where to begin?
The Hoot’s got your back.
Morning
There's no better way to kickstart your day than with a banging brunch.
Just a five minute walk away from Ilkley train station is Thirty Nine The Grove, a family-run independent cafe that is your one-stop-shop for everything homemade.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
From fresh barista coffee with hunks of banana loaf to perfectly poached eggs atop your favourite brunch dish, it’s a wonderful spot to visit and people watch on their sunny terrace that overlooks one of Ilkley's busiest streets.
Once you're all fuelled up and ready to embrace the day, it's time to get your stomp on and take to the Ilkley moors.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Head upward toward White Wells and from there you can choose a route as long or as short as you fancy, but we do recommend stopping by the iconic Cow and Calf rocks where you'll find the best views overlooking the Wharfe Valley.
But beware of the sheep as they're often wandering aimlessly through the bracken-laden hills and taking in the stunning vistas themselves.
Afternoon
Success! You've got some of the city air out of your lungs and now it's time for a spot of shopping.
Take a leisurely stroll down The Grove where you'll find some of the town's best independent boutiques and shops.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Make sure to pop into The Grove Bookshop which has been there for over 40 years and stocks a wide range of titles in pretty much every genre.
If you're a homeware fiend then Covet is the place for you, a treasure trove of carefully sourced unique pieces that will bring a smile to your face just by looking at them. From authentic Turkish towels to Danish ceramics, we could spend hours in here curating our dream home.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
And of course it wouldn't be a trip to Ilkley without popping into Betty's, the famous tea rooms are a proper Yorkshire institution and if you don't have time for a spot of sophisticated afternoon tea then a takeaway bag jam-packed with fat rascals and fondant fancies will most definitely do the trick.
Gosh, all this shopping is thirsty work isn't it? And luckily for us, just at the end of The Grove you'll find Friends of Ham.
A firm favourite in Leeds, this craft beer and wine bar is the perfect afternoon pick me up that also serve up a mouthwatering selection of (yes, you guessed it) ham and tapas plates if you're feeling peckish.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Take a seat on their sun drenched terrace, order an Aperol Spritz and get stuck into one of their delicious charcuterie boards. You'll be cancelling your flights to Barcelona in no time.
Evening
Right, now that you've wet the whistle with a couple of spritzes it's time to visit some proper Yorkshire pubs and luckily, Ilkley's got plenty of them.
Paying homage to the iconic song, the Bar T'at is a lovely pub that have a fantastic selection of local beers and a local, friendly atmosphere.
Image: Fuggle and GoldingImage: Bar T'at
If the sun is shining then The Black Hat just across the way boasts a huge outdoor terrace that is perfect for soaking in those precious rays.
Fuggle and Golding Tap House is a local favourite and if you can nudge yourself in there on a busy evening, then it's a wonderful little place to enjoy a taster of some beer from their ever-changing keg lines which showcase some of the best breweries in Britain and from around the world.
Right, it's time for tea and we hope you fancy Italian because that's what Ilkley does best.
Emporio Italia is a family-run eatery that has a real cult following, with a menu that changes daily you can guarantee that the freshest ingredients of the highest quality are used in creating authentic dishes made from the heart.
Image: Emporio Italia Image: The Hoot Leeds
Allow Luigi and his wonderful family look after you in their warm and cosy restaurant, but make sure to book in advance as this place is always bursting at the seams.
Born in Ilkley, Pranzo Italian are dishing up homemade pasta inspired by founder Marco’s legendary Nonna. Their four-hour braised beef shin ragu mafalde never misses and paired with a glass (or bottle) of red, that'll top your day off in Ilkley just perfectly if you ask us.
It's been an absolutely belting year for new openings in Sheffield, and we're only just getting started.
We don't know about you guys, but we think Sheffield is really thriving with all it has to offer at the moment. And trust us, that's a lot.
We've had some cracking spots arrive in the city so far this year, and if you haven't visited them then we urge you to check them out pretty pronto.
But first, allow us to tell you all about them...
Maria
4 Wellington St, Sheffield, S1 4HD
Images: The Sheff
The talented team behind Bench and The Pearl opened up this beautiful restaurant in the city centre back in March, and it'll come as no surprise to you that it's absolutely class.
Maria, located on Wellington Street in the new heart of the city development, is a homage to owner Ronnie's grandmother and a nod to his southern Italian heritage. It's a space unlike anything in the city, a small but perfectly-formed space complete with counter dining where you can watch the magic happen.
They're cooking up Sicilian-inspired dishes made using Yorkshire produce, like the tortellini in brodo with Yorkshire ham from Swaledale Butchers in Skipton.
Manchester’s beloved bakery, Gooey, has opened a gorgeous kiosk inside Meadowhall and we’re utterly obsessed.
They’ve brought their thick cookies, pillowy doughnuts and fabulous drink creations (hello French toast matcha) to Sheffield and it’s the perfect mid-shopping fuel.
Memory Dance
21 Chapel Walk, S1 2PD
Images: The Sheff
There’s a brand-new space that’s just opened on Chapel Walk, celebrating Sheffield in a truly unique way. From vinyl records and exhibitions to immersive cinematic experiences, it’s a must-visit for anyone who loves the city’s rich creative heritage.
JD Sports
Meadowhall, S9 1EP
Images: The Sheff
High street sportswear and footwear giant JD Sports has officially unveiled its brand-new superstore at Meadowhall, and it’s safe to say they’ve pulled out all the stops.
Packed with the latest trainers, streetwear, and all your favourite clothing brands under one roof, this new store is a must-visit if you’re planning your next shopping spree.
A bakery serving giant NYC-style cookies and fluffy cinnamon buns has just opened in Leeds
Clementine Hall
If you've got a seriously sweet tooth, then you're going to love this new opening.
It seems like there's been a flurry of new bakeries popping up in and around Leeds recently, and we're certainly not complaining.
Introducing Crumbb, a beautiful new bakery that has just opened its doors on Hyde Park Road just moments outside of the city centre.
Owner Naila started the businesses as a wholesaler six years ago, stocking up local businesses from far and wide with sweet treats.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Since then, Crumbbs opened its first location in Bradford just a few months ago that has been nothing short of a resounding success. So much so, that Crumbbs 2.0 was born right here in Leeds a few days ago.
Right, let's talk you through what's on offer.
For the sweet toothed out there, there's a whole myriad of treats for you to enjoy. We're talking giant NYC-style cookies, fluffy cinnamon buns topped with gooey icing, brownies slices, cookie muffins, rocky road, flapjack, the list is truly endless.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
You can even get warm cookie trays and hot brownies to enjoy in house that can be topped with ice cream or thick custard.
And it doesn't stop there, Crumbbs also whip up freshly baked savoury focaccia slices as well as cheese twists, pizza slices and savoury rolls filled with creamy mozzarella and herbs.
They've also got a fabulous drink selection on offer including matcha, coffee and hot chocolates.
Located in Headingley, we've got a feeling this spot is going to be a huge hit with students and locals alike looking to get their sweet treat fix. But they'll have to beat us to it first.
Clementine Hall -
3rd September 2024 
