A charming town nestled in the southern reaches of the Yorkshire Dales has been crowned the finest place to reside in the North of England. Ilkley, situated in West Yorkshire, is a historic spa town in the Wharfe Valley on the outskirts of Bradford, celebrated for its sweeping moorlands, picturesque countryside and striking architecture.

Around 225,000 visitors flock to the area annually, drawn either by the delightful town itself or the extensive hiking trails and expansive moors. Ilkley is perhaps best known for the iconic Cow and Calf rock formation alongside its distinctive moor; these millstone grit formations are linked by a 5.1km circular walking route connecting both landmarks. The town has earned Walkers are Welcome accreditation, an initiative designed to encourage walking whilst supporting local enterprises by drawing ramblers to the area.

Additionally, it boasts one of Britain’s largest cycling clubs, with membership exceeding 1,000 and a thriving youth development scheme.

Ilkley Moor has served as a backdrop for various films and television productions including Monty Python’s Flying Circus, The Witcher: Blood Origin, DCI Banks and Ghost Stories.

The town, which secured top honours from the Times in the “best place to live in the north of England” category, also hosts the North of England’s longest-running literature festival. Established over half a century ago, the 17-day October event has welcomed acclaimed authors spanning diverse genres, including: Alan Bennett, Margaret Atwood, Hilary Mantel, and Poet Laureate Simon Armitage.

Additional attractions in Ilkley include Ilkley Manor House, Cliffe Castle, Ilkley Toy Museum and White Wells Spa Cottage. According to Rightmove, the average property price over the past year stood at £534,782, with flats representing the majority of sales.

This figure is roughly double the typical UK house price of approximately £267,200, positioning Ilkley as a pricier location.

Families considering relocation will find well-regarded primary and secondary schools, alongside Ilkley Grammar School, which ranks as the leading comprehensive in the North of England.

Transport connections are strong, with regular bus services running every 10 minutes, plus an hourly service to Leeds. The railway station sits on the Wharfedale line, run by Northern Trains, offering convenient links to Leeds and Bradford.

One visitor to Ilkley Moor shared on Tripadvisor: “Absolutely beautiful well worth the walk, scenery is amazing, so much to see. Quite a hike up from Ilkley to the plunge pool and beyond but worth it. Town itself is pretty full of boutiques, bars and restaurants. Highly recommend.”