A “classic” Victorian location with “excellent views at almost every turn” has been crowned among the prettiest towns in Great Britain – have you been?
Ilkley was ranked in fifth place by Telegraph Travel’s Great Britain experts and was highlighted for its “wide and leafy” streets, some home to “handsome shopfronts”.
The town was also complimented for its “swish” cinema, riverside park and playing fields, not to mention Ilkley’s craft brewery, an artisan food market.
Commenting on the travel guide, The Telegraph said: “If there’s something Britain does well, it’s towns. And we have a lot of them, almost 1,250 to be precise, across England, Scotland and Wales.
“There are well-heeled towns like Henley-on-Thames, market towns like Buxton, commutable towns like Harpenden, liveable towns like Altrincham and towns to film the perfect Hovis advert in, like Shaftesbury.
“But which are the prettiest towns in Great Britain? To find out, we called upon our experts across the country to give their verdict on the most beautiful settlements in the land.
"We asked each expert to rank their towns on the pleasantness of their shop fronts, historic architecture, low traffic/litter, stunning viewpoints and plentiful greenery, culminating in a score out of 50."
You can see the full list of scenic towns here.
@yorkshirefoodguide EXPLORING THE BEST PLACES TO EAT IN ILKLEY 😋 We started at Thirty Nine, a cosy, dog-friendly café where the 39 breakfast and spiced apple warmer kicked things off perfectly 🍂☕️ Next was @emporioitalia, a family-run Italian gem with a Calabrian lasagna that was pure comfort food 👌🏼🍝 Then, we made a pit stop at Ilkley Tap for a pint before diving into small plates served up by @Stuzzi Leeds. A must-visit for foodies! 🍻👏🏼 After a short hike to soak up the beautiful scenery to @Bettys, we savoured Halloween-themed bakes topped with their white chocolate ghosts 👻🎃 To end the day in style, we wound down with the best wines, cheese and charcuterie at the legendary @friendsofham🍷🧀 Where’s your favourite places to eat in Ilkley? #YorkshireFoodGuide #Ilkley #IlkleyRestaurants #IlkleyThingsToDo #IlkleyMoor #Yorkshire #YorkshireFood #PlacesToEat ♬ Dirty Cash (Money Talks) - Sold Out 7 Inch Mix - Adventures Of Stevie V
What makes Ilkley one of Britain’s prettiest places?
The Telegraph’s Helen Pickles shared: “Sheltered below the justly famous Ilkley Moor, the town spreads handsomely down a gentle slope to the equally fine River Wharfe.
“The slope plus the lack of high-rise buildings – church spires, aside – means excellent views are guaranteed at almost every turn.
“A classic Victorian town (though Roman in origin) that grew on the back of the discovery of spa waters, Ilkley’s principal streets are wide and leafy; the Grove, with its broad pavement, bandstand, cherry trees and handsome shopfronts (notably Bettys Café Tea Rooms) while Brook Street, a pleasant jumble of cafes and shops, sweeps down to the river.”
Helen added: “A good range of independent shops includes books, butchers, bikes and beers while Mortens hardware (established 1937) is the go-to for everything for the house and garden.
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“There’s a swish cinema, a riverside park and playing fields, a craft brewery, an artisan food market, walks in Middleton Woods on the north side (brilliantly blue in bluebell season) and bracing walks on the moors on the south side.
“And the jewel? The Art Deco lido complete with original café and sun terrace. “
Wondering where to go in Ilkley for the best views? The travel enthusiast explained: “From the lido gazing up towards Ilkley Moor and picking out the iconic Cow and Calf rocks, and White Wells, 18th-century cottages housing the early spa’s plunge-pools.”
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