A small Victorian market town on the edge of a national park is one of the prettiest in the country. Just a 90-minute drive from Greater Manchester is Ilkley in West Yorkshire.
On the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, Ilkley beat towns in Cornwall and East Sussex to be named the fifth prettiest town in the UK by The Telegraph. The publication asked experts to rank towns based on “pleasantness of their shop fronts, historic architecture, low traffic/litter, stunning viewpoints and plentiful greenery, culminating in a score out of 50.” Ilkley achieved an overall score of 44/50 with solid tens for views and greenery, a nine out of 10 for shop fronts, an eight for historical architecture and a seven for the low traffic and litter category. The publication praised Ilkley’s “excellent views”, which are “guaranteed at almost every turn”, thanks to its location on a slope above the River Wharfe with not a high-rise in sight. The town also features “wide and leafy streets”, particularly the Grove, which boasts a “broad pavement, bandstand, cherry trees and handsome shopfronts”.
Ilkley’s impressive range of independent shops is mentioned, along with its “swish cinema,” park, brewery, and “artisan food market.”
Perhaps the most famous business in Ilkley is Betty’s Cafe Tea Rooms, known for its iconic Fat Rascal fruit scones and luxurious afternoon teas.
The Ilkley branch is particularly special, as the shop features a dedicated chocolate counter, offering a treasure trove of handcrafted treats.
It also has its own brewery, Ilkley Brewery, and tap room, which serves Italian-inspired food, including pizzetta sandwiches and roasts on Sundays.
But it’s not just the town itself which lends it to being ‘pretty’, it also has some incredible countryside right on its doorstep. There’s the wild and windswept Ilkley Moor, perfect for a bracing hike.
It features many intriguing rock formations, including the interestingly named Cow and Calf rocks. You can also head to Middleton Woods, which is covered by a blanket of orange leaves every spring.
Ilkley does have something that sets it apart from other towns—an Art Deco lido, which the Telegraph described as the town’s “jewel,” with its original cafe and sun terrace. It recommends heading there for the best views, looking out towards Ilkley Moor.
