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West Yorkshire GuidesYou are in: Bradford and West Yorkshire > Places > West Yorkshire Guides > Ilkley: Romans to Rock 'n' Roll legends! Ilkley: Romans to Rock 'n' Roll legends!From Roman soldiers to rock legend Jimi Hendrix, Ilkley has seen it all! Still going strong after all these years, we decided to find out more about what makes this famous town and the moors surrounding it such a popular and interesting place!  A view of Ilkley from the famous moors One thing can be said straight away: Ilkley goes back a long way. In fact it goes all the way back to ancient times - and we really do mean ancient! Two millenia ago, the Romans had clearly recognised its attractions and to prove it they built a fort here which they called Olicana. If you want to see some proof of this today then the remains of a wall from Roman times can still be seen behind the Manor House in the centre of the town.  Hikers on Ilkley Moor But even THEY weren't Ilkley's first inhabitants. Burial cairns, stone circles and strangely carved rocks on the surrounding moors also suggest that people lived in these parts long before the Romans. The 'cup and ring' marked rocks which are still to be found on Rombalds Moor may date from as long ago as 2800 BC. Probably the most famous of these prehistoric rocks is the so-called Swastika Stone, now protected by railings with a replica in front of the original stone. Although similar carvings can be found in Italy and Sweden the meaning of the stone is yet to be explained but the truth may be out there! While you're on the Moor, spare a moment to visit the memorial marking a particularly tragic event. On January 31st, 1944, a Halifax Bomber on a training run from Dishforth Airfield ploughed into a deserted hillside on Ilkley Moor killing all the crew. A few years ago, a stone was finally placed at the site. It's also well worth remembering another sad moment not so long ago when, in 2006, more than 500 acres of this famous landmark were destroyed by a blaze. It's thought the fire could have been started by a discarded match or cigarette, but whatever the cause the Moor will take years to fully recover.  White Wells, Ilkley Turning away from the Moor to the town itself and despite its early inhabitants, Ilkley is now predominantly Victorian in character and that'sΜύ because so many people wanted to 'take the waters' at this famous spa town. The posh word is 'hydropathy', but what it really means is that the water from Ilkley's spa was reputed to be useful in treating the sick. Ilkley's first watering hole was White Wells, the unmissable white house which is still to be seen perched on the edge of Ilkley Moor overlooking the town. In fact, White Wells is still open from time to time for people to take the waters and even have a bit of a dip! If you're into Ilkley's history then the town's parish church of All Saints is also worth a visit. It stands in a commanding position above the River Wharfe and the present building is largely medieval although, as is often the case, it was rebuilt in Victorian times. The first church on the site was built by the Saxons, no doubt using stone from the abandoned Roman fort. Inside the church are three Saxon crosses decorated with carvings of dragons and other strange beasts. It is thought that such a major group of crosses may suggest that Ilkley was an important place in Saxon times. The church boasts a 13th century doorway, a 16th century tower, 17th pews and some fine stained-glass which really gives the building a warm feeling.  The New Bridge, Ilkley Then, just a stone's throw from the church is the Manor House, now Ilkley's museum and art gallery. The origin of this building, also known as The Castle is lost in time, but its west wing is thought to date from the fourteenth century. In the 1950s the building narrowly escaped demolition when it was deemed unfit for occupation. Happily it has been restored and now provides an ideal setting for the display of artefacts relating to the history of the town.The art gallery upstairs plays host to an ever-changing programme of exhibitions. If you've got the time you can also stroll down the road to the River Wharfe and the New Bridge. From here you can walk along the river in either direction and get the impression you are far from anywhere. The path through Riverside Gardens leads to the Old Bridge, passing an adventureΜύ playground (for small children.) The bridge itself was built in 1675 for packhorses and marks on its side show the flood levels reached by the river at various times. The bridges built before this one were all washed away!  The Grove, Ilkley Of course, you may prefer to stay with the madding crowd and visit Ilkley's shops - there are plenty of them - along The Grove! Except for a couple of supermarkets the town's shops are 'compact and bijou' and offer the likelihood of a good time for West Yorkshire's shopaholics. Clearly, then, there's something for everyone in Ilkley. It's a place where you can do something or nothing very much, maybe some shopping or maybe just a stroll on the moors. Whatever you choose to do, the genteel spa town and the wild moorland seem to have been made for each other...just remember your hat! last updated: 21/04/2008 at 15:27 Have Your SayHave you got any tips for people visiting Ilkley? Tell us here! SEE ALSOYou are in: Bradford and West Yorkshire > Places > West Yorkshire Guides > Ilkley: Romans to Rock 'n' Roll legends!
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