Ilkley & Ben Rhydding

Ilkley sits on the River Wharfe in the City of Bradford, with Ben Rhydding immediately to the south. The town developed as a spa in the 19th century and the settlement around Ben Rhydding grew up around a hydropathic establishment of that era. A railway station provides direct services to Leeds and Bradford, and streets near the river contain shops, cafes and local businesses that serve residents and visitors. Housing ranges from Victorian terraces to later suburban streets, and community facilities include a library, a theatre and schools used by both Ilkley and Ben Rhydding households.

The moorland edge is right beside the town: paths lead from the centre onto Ilkley Moor and up to the Cow and Calf gritstone outcrop, the rock formation that looks down over the valley. The moor is the setting for the folk song "On Ilkla Moor Baht 'at", and walkers use marked routes, grit tracks and riverside paths for short outings or longer circuits. Annual events such as the local literature festival and regular market days bring activity to the town throughout the year.