Welcome to the award winning Ilkley Chat!

Residents of Ilkley and Ben Rhydding are invited by the Friends of Ilkley Rail Station (FOIRS) to an open meeting to learn more about their work and future plans. The volunteer led, charity run FOIRS, is dedicated to improving and celebrating Ilkley’s railway heritage, and will host the meeting at the Clarke Foley Community Hub on Wednesday 21 October from 7pm. The group is keen to expand its pool of volunteers by welcoming new FOIRS supporters - they may be residents who may

Sarah McQuaid returns to Ilkley Playhouse on 26 November {Photo: Jörg Detering] Ilkley Manor House will welcome internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter Sarah McQuaid for the second year in a row next month. With her new recording and rehearsal studio nearing completion, Sarah McQuaid is once again out on the road currently touring in the USA, and will stop off in Ilkley on 26 November on a short UK tour, bringing her 2026 total to an impressive 122 concerts between mid-Ja

Ilkley residents are being invited to come together this autumn to help clear fallen leaves from local pavements and footpaths as part of Ilkley Town Council’s Community Days of Action. The volunteer events will take place at locations across Ilkley and Ben Rhydding on Friday 23 October and Wednesday 25 November 2026, from 10am to 12 noon. While responsibility for clearing leaves from roads and pavements rests with Bradford Council, whose leaf-sweeping teams are currently vis

Ilkley is set for some pumpkin-filled fun this October half term as Ilkley BID launches the first Discover Ilkley Pumpkin Festival, running from Friday 23 October to Sunday 1 November 2026. The new festival promises plenty of free family-friendly activities, including professional pumpkin carving, creative workshops and a town-wide Pumpkin Trail, all designed to bring some Halloween magic to Ilkley and encourage residents and visitors to explore the town. The highlight of the

Local organisations are coming together at Clarke Foley on Saturday 31 October for a free day of dementia awareness, support and community connection. Hosted alongside Home Instead Ilkley and The Rainbow Care Group – Wharfe Valley and North Bradford, the event will bring together local organisations, professionals and community groups to share information, advice and support available to people living with dementia, their families and carers. Visitors can take part in a Demen

Victor from Norton & Townsend designed the dress for Sarah [Photo: The Yorkshire Portrait Photographer] The owner of Ilkley-based Little Beau Sheep has started a challenge of wearing one wool dress for 90 consecutive days. Sarah Turner began the 90-Day Wool Habit challenge on 1st October, the campaign aims to celebrate British wool and craftsmanship while encouraging people to make more of the clothes they already own by wearing them more, washing them less and taking better

Amy Barrett from LFW Podiatry in Ilkley [Photo: LFW Podiatry] LFW Podiatry in Ilkley is celebrating after Specialist Podiatrist Amy Barrett won the prestigious Diabetic Foot Champion Award at the National Gait & Motion Awards. Amy attended the awards on 9 October at the NEC Birmingham alongside Lynda Forbes-Wake, Director and Lead Podiatrist of LFW Podiatry, who was also nominated for the Community Award in recognition of her services to podiatry. With over 15 years’ experien

A Zoom session will explore Troutbeck pictured above Celebrating 60 years, Ilkley Civic Society invites the public to explore local history, architecture and conservation through its programme of events from October to December 2026. The programme features a range of presentations, illustrated talks, online sessions and a festive heritage walk, offering opportunities to discover more about Ilkley’s historic buildings and distinctive architectural features. Upcoming events inc

Work from Libby Jubb [top] and Sarah Carroll [bottom] 15 local artists open their studios, homes and workspaces to the public on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October. Art lovers, curious visitors and anyone with an interest in creativity are invited to step inside the working worlds of these artists during Ilkley Arts Open Studios Weekend. The special weekend offers a unique opportunity to discover an inspiring range of art, craft and design, meet the artists behind the work, an

The team behind Ilkley’s hugely successful Breakfast Raves are back with Saints Social, a brand-new evening of music, food and drinks at All Saints Church. For the first time on Saturday 28th November 2026, the historic church will host a night of dance music, with DJs from London’s Centreforce Radio, the UK’s largest independent dance music station, providing the soundtrack. The stunning venue will be transformed with atmospheric lighting showcasing its architecture, creatin

The Christchurch Jigsaw Festival will return next month welcoming hundreds of visitors to enjoy a spectacular display of completed jigsaw puzzles. Running over three days, Thursday 12th to Saturday 14th November, at Christchurch on The Grove, the festival transforms the church into a colourful patchwork of puzzles, with hundreds of designs on display in a huge variety of shapes, sizes, themes and colours. All the puzzles are available to buy, with prices clearly marked. If yo

An artist impression of The Railway Children Nursery Group's new Ilkley setting The Railway Children Nursery Group has announced plans for a brand-new nursery setting in the heart of Ilkley Town Centre within the Station Plaza. Opening early 2027, the nursery will be in the former Alpkit store which closed in September. The Railway Children Nursery Group’s existing settings are in Menston and Hawksworth village, and place strong emphasis on outdoor learning and community enga