Welcome to the award winning Ilkley Chat!

The team behind this year's Yorkshire Day Weekend celebrations is calling on local people to get involved by volunteering at one of Ilkley's biggest community events of the summer. Taking place at the start of August, the weekend promises a packed programme of entertainment, live music, family activities, food and drink, and community celebrations, bringing thousands of people into the town to celebrate Yorkshire and everything that makes Ilkley special. The celebrations are

Ilkley Half Marathon and 5K took place on Sunday [Photos: Rick Hall] The Ilkley Half Marathon & 5K 2026 has been hailed a major success after thousands of runners, volunteers, supporters and local residents came together for a fantastic day of community sport on Sunday. Organised by Ilkley & District Round Table, the event once again showcased the best of Ilkley, bringing together runners of all ages and abilities for a memorable challenge through the town and surrounding cou

📋| ILKLEY CHAT JOBS BOARD |📋 14.07.26 every Tuesday with Right at Home Ilkley, Keighley & Skipton - recruiting CareGivers to provide quality care in a client’s home: www.rightathome.co.uk/ilkley-jobs 🖱 To add a vacancy next week or view the Jobs Board on our website visit ilkleychat.co.uk/jobs-board There are three sections - main jobs, apprenticeships and volunteers. ■■■ MAIN JOBS ■■■ CHEF – THE VINE RESTAURANT, ILKLEY We are on the lookout for experienced chef to join ou

Representatives of Ilkley & District u3a, Friends of Ilkley Rail Station talking to users of the station complex during Lexus Tennis week Fifty lucky local people are celebrating after winning a complimentary takeaway coffee or tea from La Stazione as part of a joint community initiative organised by Ilkley & District u3a and Friends of Ilkley Rail Station (FOIRS). The winners were selected at random following a prize draw held after volunteers from both organisations spent a

The Ilkley Water Trails leaflet has been a resounding success since its launch earlier in the year. The trails map has an accessible Riverside Walk, suitable to pushchair sand wheelchairs, and a Moorside Walk, which both start at the Fountain at the top of Brook Street. Inspired by Ilkley’s fountain, and its use of Victorian engineering, the trails are aimed at families to encourage walking and family fun. Julie Mountain, one of the creators of the leaflet, said: "We are so d

A free community screening of The People’s Emergency Briefing will take place at St. John’s Church, Ben Rhydding, on Sunday 26th July at 6.30pm, followed by a discussion to explore the climate and nature crisis. The latest local screening is part of a growing UK-wide programme of events designed to help ensure that both the public and decision-makers are informed about the climate and nature crisis and conversations can take place to explore how the risks can be addressed. Th

Ilkley's digital postcard was part of the application [Image: Ilkley BID] Ilkley has failed to make the shortlist for the UK’s first Town of Culture. The proposal was led by Ilkley Business Improvement District (BID) and supported by Ilkley Town Council in consultation with other local organisations, and aimed to celebrate the town’s rich arts, heritage, culture and creativity. Other local towns including Keighley, Otley and Harrogate applied without success. Fifteen towns ha

The countdown is on...! Nell Bank are now putting the finishing touches to their Summer Discovery Days. This summer, they’re opening the case files on “Nell Bank's Most Wanted Birds!” Prepare for a family adventure filled with fun challenges, outdoor discoveries, trails to follow, as well as their fantastic playground and water play area. Don’t forget to visit their Charity Café selling sausage sandwiches, cakes, ice lollies, tea & coffee. Every ticket purchased supports th

Imogen Clark reviews The Addams Family on stage until Saturday at the King's Hall in Ilkley. There is a moment early in Upstagers' new production of The Addams Family when ghostly figures start drifting through the auditorium before the curtain has even gone up, unsettling audience members in their seats and setting the tone for a night that never really lets up from there. By the time the full company launches into the opening number, it is already clear this is a show with

One Tivoli Place Guest House wins Best Breakfast of the Year [Photos; AA] One Tivoli Place Guest House is celebrating after winning Best Breakfast of the Year at the 2026 AA B&B Awards, while The Penny Bun in Askwith has been crowned Inn of the Year for England. The awards are organised by AA Hotel & Hospitality Services and celebrate the very best of the UK independent short stay sector. One Tivoli Place in Ilkley, owned by Rika Mitchell, specializes in authentic Japanese cu

Ilkley Manor House’s Summer Makers’ Fair returns this month offering a weekend of creativity, community and craftsmanship. The fair will welcome visitors into the manor house historic courtyard in Castle Yard on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 July, for a weekend celebrating independent makers, artists and creative talent. Set against the backdrop of the Grade I listed Ilkley Manor House, the Summer Makers’ Fair offers visitors the chance to browse and buy directly from artists and

With yet another heatwave expected this week, Ilkley Town Council would like to remind people that Ilkley has a public water refill station available in the town, enabling residents and visitors to fill their water bottles free of charge. The refill station, which was set up by the Council in 2025, is available at the South Hawksworth Street Car Park, located on the north wall of the public conveniences, facing the car park. The Town Council hopes that the availability of the