Welcome to the award winning Ilkley Chat!
Days Out & Activities
We have pulled together a list of days out, things to do and places to visit in and around Ilkley and further afield – many are free!
Dan’s Den at Christchurch
Indoor soft play facility housed in the Riddings Hall at Christchurch, The Grove. Open 9.30am - 5pm (1pm Tues & Sat, closed Sun).
Ilkley Toy Museum
Open Saturdays and Sundays 12 - 4pm. Plus many Thursday and Fridays during school holidays.
Clip’n’Climb Ilkley
21 Climbing walls based in the railway station plaza. Check website for opening hours which are normally extended during school holidays.
Ilkley Cinema
Now with two screens, visit the website for the latest films being shown.
Ilkley Manor House FREE
Open Saturday and Sunday 11-4pm with many special events. Castle Yard, Ilkley, LS29 9DT
Ilkley Pool and Lido
Take a look at the website below to see the opening hours and activities.
www.bradford.gov.uk/sport-and-activities/sports-centres-and-pools/ilkley-pool-and-lido/
Darwin Gardens Millennium Green FREE
Off Wells Road on the edge of Ilkley Moor, it is a place where people can relax, children can play, and everyone can enjoy nature. Picnic tables and seats are provided.
Middleton Woods, Ilkley FREE
Enjoy a walk through Middleton Woods and see the bluebells in Spring.
Suggested walk: www.on-magazine.co.uk/yorkshire/walks/ilkley-wood
Ilkley Moor FREE
On our doorstep! Many hours can be spent exploring our part of Rombalds Moor, the Cow and Calf, White Wells, Swastika Stone and Twelve Apostles.
Cliffe Castle Museum, Keighley FREE
Visitors can enjoy looking around the castle & exhibits and outside spectacular parkland & gardens, there is also a large children’s play area.
www.bradfordmuseums.org/venues/cliffe-castle-museum
Billy Bob’s Ice-cream Parlour at Bolton Abbey
Free-to-enter outdoor play. Two play barns which cost £2 per child, restricted to diners only during holidays and weekends (apart from 4-6pm Monday to Friday when they are open to all)
Hesketh Farm Park at Bolton Abbey
There’s loads to do, including feeding and stroking the animals, having fun inside – maybe in the giant sandpit or playing hide and seek with your friends in the straw maze.
Bolton Abbey Estate
Entry is free, however a charge of £10 per vehicle applies. Take part in the Welly Walk adventure trail!
Yeadon Tarnfield Park FREE
The park is open to the public 365 days a year. An easy walk around the tarn for the kids & pushchairs. There is a new play area close to the High St car park and BMX track close to the Cemetery Rd car park. Also a good place to feed the birds and to watch the aeroplanes taking off from Leeds Bradford airport. Postcode LS19 7UR.
www.leeds.gov.uk/leisure/parks-and-countryside/your-local-park/yeadon-tarnfield-park
St Ives Estate, Bingley FREE
The St Ives Estate is a wonderful Country Park with woodlands, open moor, and a wildflower meadow, and paths throughout. The Adventure Playground is a fantastic feature for the children, and Coppice Pond offers both fishing opportunities, and a chance to feed the ducks
www.bradforddistrictparks.org/sites/parks/parks.php?ID=80
Raven Tree Top Adventure, Skipton
A high ropes adventure course aimed at both adults and children over 7 years old based at Aireville Park in Skipton.
Skipton Castle
Over 900 years old, Skipton Castle is one of the most complete and best preserved medieval castles in England.
Kilnsey Park, near Skipton
Catch a fish and feed the animals, follow the nature trail, meet red squirrels and enjoy their family bushcraft days.
Thornton Hall Farm, near Skipton
A traditional working farm with play barn, tea room and 4x4 Adventure Experience. Open 10am - 4.30pm.
www.thorntonhallcountrypark.co.uk
Brimham Rocks FREE
Free but parking charges apply. Summerbridge, North Yorkshire, HG3 4DW.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/brimham-rocks
Keighley & Worth Valley Railway
Explore the heart of Bronte Country from Keighley to Oxenhope by train.
Shipley Glen Tramway, next to Roberts Park.
Ride the tram up Shipley Glen, open 12.00 until 16.30 on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays. Close to the play area at Roberts Park.
Birchfield Ice Cream Farm, Summerbridge
Birchfield farm is a picturesque working farm, 20 miles from Ilkley.
Visit the website and Facebook page for the latest events.
RHS Harlow Carr, Harrogate
Explore the garden, visit the library, shop & plat centre and Bettys Cafe Tea Rooms & Shop. Open 10am-6pm. Entry charges apply.
www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/harlow-carr
Valley Gardens, Harrogate, FREE
A park with colourful seasonal flower displays, skate park, children's playground, mini golf, courts and Art Deco pavilion.
www.harrogate.gov.uk/info/20090/visit_parks_and_woodlands/392/valley_gardens_harrogate
Malham Cove, Harrogate, FREE
Formed by a waterfall at the end of the last Ice Age around 12,000 years ago, it has a unique limestone pavement on top, while the huge face is regularly used by climbers. Skipton, North Yorkshire, BD23 4DA
www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/visit-the-dales/discover-the-dales/limestone-features/malham-cove
National Media Museum, Bradford FREE
Free entry, events and activities! Open 10am-6pm.
www.nationalmediamuseum.org.uk
Bradford Industrial Museum FREE
Bradford's Industrial Museum has permanent displays of textile machinery, steam power, engineering, printing machinery and motor vehicles, along with an exciting exhibitions programme. Open Tuesday to Friday 10am - 4pm Saturday, Sunday & Bank Holiday Mondays 11am - 4pm.
Eccleshill, Bradford, BD2 3HP
www.bradfordmuseums.org/venues/bradford-industrial-museum
Thackray Medical Museum, Leeds (nr St James's Hospital)
Explore the incredible world of medicine. Travel back to the dirty streets of Leeds to explore life among the grime and the bedbugs.
Junior CSI: Easter Holidays until 26 April Whodunnit? Calling all investigators! A crime has been committed. Can you help us solve it?
Admission charges apply (please see website)
www.thackraymedicalmuseum.co.uk
Leeds City Museum FREE
Admission is free (some events may have a charge) Open Tuesday - Friday: 10:00 - 17:00 & Saturday & Sunday: 11:00 - 17:00.
www.leeds.gov.uk/museumsandgalleries/Pages/Leeds-City-Museum.aspx
Royal Armouries, Leeds FREE
Keepers of the national collection of arms, armour, and artillery. Free admission.
https://royalarmouries.org/visit-us/leeds/
The Donkey Sanctuary, Leeds
Meet the donkeys, plus there is a play area, gift shop & refreshments. Open Mon, Tues, Thurs and Fri - 3pm to 5pm, weekends 10am-3pm (closed 1st Sat of the month).
www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/therapy/leeds
Tropical World, Roundhay
Visit the indoor wildlife park and see meerkats, butterflies, monkeys, snakes and more. Under 5's go free
Open daily 10am until 6pm (last admission at 5.30pm).
www.roundhaypark.org.uk/tropical-world-leeds
Harewood House, Leeds
The house, grounds, bird garden, farm experience and adventure playground are open between 23rd March and 4th November 2018, entry charges apply.
Stockeld Park
Adventure play in the Enchanted Forest, surprises in the Maze and fun on our Ice Rink. We’ve even got rainy days covered with our indoor inflatables, plus Crafts, Games & Building Fun in the Stockeld Rangers Den!!
Check the website for Special Events Calendar.
Mother Shipton’s Cave, Knaresborough
The Park opens 10am to 5.30pm (last admission 4.30pm). There are several scenic picnic areas, an adventure playground and museum and gift shop.
Newby Hall, Ripon
Hall and gardens to explore. Plus adventure gardens with a sandpit, swings and dancing water fountains. Miniature railway, pedalo boats, zip wire and more. New Teddy Bear exhibition for 2017.
The Forbidden Corner, near Leyburn
A unique labyrinth of tunnels, chambers and follies in a four acre garden - a challenge and delightful day out. Bookings must be made online.
Yorkshire Air Museum, York
Established in the grounds of the former RAF Elvington, the Yorkshire Air Museum is the UK's largest independent air museum and home to the Allied Air Forces Memorial.
The York Dungeon
The York Dungeon is a uniquely thrilling attraction that takes you back to York’s darkest history – and you’ll encounter some frighteningly funny characters on the way.
The National Railway Museum, York FREE
A free day out (small charge for special events/activities) Get up close to over 300 years of fascinating history, explore thegiant halls full of trains and railway legends including the majestic Duchess of Hamilton, step on to the futuristic, Japanese Bullet Train or marvel at the stunning opulence of the Royal Trains.
National Coal Mining Museum, Wakefield FREE
The National Coal Mining Museum for England provides a great day out with a unique opportunity to travel 140 metres underground to explore England's last deep coalmin which used to be the real-life Caphouse Colliery. Overton, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF4 4RH.
Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Wakefield FREE
One of the world's leading open air galleries and set over 500 acres of Bretton Hall’s grounds, Yorkshire Sculpture Park is the UK’s first permanent sculpture park, winning Museum of the Year in 2014. Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF4 4LG.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park, Doncaster
Yorkshire Wildlife Park is home to some of the most amazing animals on the planet, from the only polar bears in England to majestic lions, tigers, black rhino and so much more.
The Deep, Hull
Take a journey of the seas - travel through the story of the world's oceans from warm tropical lagoons to the icy cold Antarctic seas. Enjoy the fun and educational interactive and audio-visual presentations throughout. With over 3,500 fish including spectacular sharks and rays.