Westwood Lodge taken back 50 years!

 

The sights and sounds of an early 1960's Morris Minor van were alive at Westwood Lodge today, as we headed back 50 years!  We've become a popular venue for period filming - partly because we have no satellite dishes, modern extensions or contemporary signage.  The 1100cc Minor is a 1963 collectors piece (but with a "D" plate, suggesting 1967) and came to us driven by two keen restoration enthusiasts. 

 

Today's film is being kept a bit hush-hush, but we can reveal it's a period drama involving a young couple and the girl's irate father.  There's also a piano which sadly gets smashed with a sledgehammer!     

Ilkley gearing up for Le Tour

At a packed public meeting in town this week, we heard much more about Le Tour de France coming through and plans for The Ilkley Bike Show and Ilkley Cycling Festival Week.  There's also much more to come on the literary side.  It really is all happening! The news was even picked up by one of the UK national newspapers and the link is here:-

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/nov/29/tour-de-france-fever-yorkshire-dales

Buy Local Fair at The Kings Hall!

Saturday 16th November 10am-4pm Fun for all the family with live demo's, a magic show and interactive games hosted by some of our fabulous local businesses! For more information please visit the website by clicking here

Christmas Lights Switch On!

Ilkley's Christmas lights  switch-on will on Saturday November 23rd at 4.30pm on The Grove.

Town crier Chris Richards will be the special guest pushing the plunger to switch on the lights, in his final function before he retires. He will be supported by Nick Hancock broadcasting live from Stray FM.

Father Christmas and Children's procession assembling at Whittoncroft Road, behind the Town Hall at 4.00pm.

Entertainment and festive fare will be on The Grove from 2.00pm and Santa's Grotto at Christchurch.

There are special reductions at Westwood Lodge Ilkley Moor - see our special offers page!

Tour de France route 2014 announced!

The full 2014 route had been announced with great excitement!  

You're too late to book at Westwood Lodge Ilkley Moor for the weekend of Le Tour, but we're the ideal base bring your bikes and DO the Tour routes(either part or all of one or both stages).  We're getting lots of enquiries for spring and early summer, so book soon! 

Any Questions? Comes to Ilkley!

Any Questions? Kicks off The 2014 Ilkley Literature Festival - Jonathan Dimbleby will be chairing a panel for some lively discussion - Patrick McLoughlin, Rachel Reeves, Lisa Holdsworth and John Kampfner. See you there!

..and a good time was had by all. Catch up on Radio 4 at 1.10pm on 5th October or via BBC iPlayer.

 

Haglofs Adventure Series Open 5 in Ilkley this weekend!

www.openadventure.com

The 2013/14 Haglofs Open 5 series kicks off in the picturesque Victorian spa town of Ilkley in West Yorkshire.

 

This is the first time Open Adventure has visited this corner of the Yorkshire Dales and veteran Open 5 competitor Sue Booth is hoping to show you the delights that Ilkely and the surrounding hills have to offer.

Lying on the River Wharfe in Wharfedale, on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, Ilkley is the official starting point of the Dales Way. Famous for Betty's Tea Rooms, the Cow and Calf rocks and the beautiful Ilkley Moor - the subject of the notorious Yorkshire anthem "On Ilkla Moor Baht 'at".

Tim and Paula are doing it and there's still time to sign up! See you there!

 

Find out more...

Ilkley Literature Festival Tickets still available (as at 23rd September)! Tickets still available for over 150 exciting events including Peter Snow, Kirsty Wark, Duncan Bannatyne, Kate Humble, Douglas Hurd, Simon Armitage, Melvyn Bragg, Barry Norman, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and many more... Buy your tickets online: www.ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.uk Or by phone via our Box Office: 01943 816714

Ilkley Literature Festival Short Break Accommodation (better than hotels, guest houses or B&B)

LATEST from Westwood Lodge, Ilkley Moor - we've still got accommodation availability for key Festival dates.  If you're coming to the Ilkley Literature Festival (4th to 20th October 2013), we've now reduced the prices of most remaining dates too!  We are Ilkley's ONLY Five Star and Four Star Gold Award self-catering properties and we are within walking distance of ALL Ilkley Literature Festival key venues.    

3-night short breaks for two from just £269, when booked online! Click here for current availability and prices.

Are the big hotels (often miles away!) just too impersonal?  Will a B and B (usually without the breakfast bit these days!) not hit your spot?  How about a short break in one of our FIVE STAR apartments, either on your own or with your significant other? 

Or why not bring the family for a few days in the Dales and book one of our Four Star Gold Award cottages?  

There are still some great Festival tickets to be had, so book soon!  Click here to go straight to the Festival!

Ilkley Literature Festival - Tickets NOW ON SALE!

Friday 4th - Sunday 20th October 2013

More than 250 events across 20 venues, over 17 days!

For further information go to www.ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.uk

More tickets have just been released for the following events: Event 43. Paul MorleyEvent 51. William DalrympleEvent 56. Richard Moore Event 46. Nadeem Aslam Event 79. Louise Doughty

There are still tickets available for over 220 exciting events including Duncan Bannatyne, Jonathan Aitken, Kirsty Wark, Douglas Hurd and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall! Head to the website to download a copy of the 2013 programme. You can buy your tickets online: www.ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.uk Or by phone via the Box Office: 01943 816714.

Ilkley Summer Festival in full flow!

This year's Summer Festival claims to be bigger and better than ever before! 

"Sophisticated entertainment, Son et Lumiere, Cabaret on The Grove, Shows in The Kings Hall - it's all there this month in Ilkley!"

For more information click here 

National Park, AONB or SSSI?

Nidderdale AONB - what is that? What's the difference to The National Park? What's an SSSI?

We are right on the edge of the Nidderdale AONB - "Area of Outstanding National Beauty". We're also on the edge of The Yorkshire Dales National Park. So, what's the difference? Well, in terms of landscape beauty and quality, nothing. They were both a result of an Act of Parliament in 1949. The only difference is who controls them and perhaps their purpose. In short, The Yorkshire Dales is controlled by its own National Park Authority, whereas the Nidderdale AONB is the responsibility of the local authorities - Harrogate in our case. There are 15 UK National Parks and currently 46 Areas of Natural Beauty.

It does mean that Nidderdale can get overshadowed by the National Park. But, by staying in Ilkley, you get to be able to very easily explore both - on foot, by bike or by bus. Places in The AONB tends also to be a bit quieter and less visited - but just as beautiful!

And what about Ilkley Moor itself? Well that's an SSSI. A Site of Special Scientific Interest. Different again, but just as rugged and beautiful and Open Access on foot too. You'll just have to decide which you like best!

Find out more at www.nidderdaleaonb.org.uk
www.landscapesforlife.org.uk
 

Photo - Scar House Resevoir - Nidderdale AONB

Summer Sale now on!

 

Our best ever Summer Sale is now on!  There's loads of reductions - some over 30% - on 3 night weekends and 4 night midweek stays with us over the summer. 

Check our Offers page and Book Now!

Time to Plan your Summer Cycling Holiday!

Cyling is rapidly becoming one of the most popular sports in Britain. Here in Wharfedale, they are hundreds of new cyclists out every weekend! Why? There's no doubt that the success in the Olympics followed by the exploits of Brits Sir Bradley Wiggins, Mark Cavendish, Chris Froome and David Millar in the Tour de France has inspired a nation...

In 2014 the World's largest annual sporting event, the Tour de France, will be coming to Yorkshire and this will no doubt continue to raise the profile of this fantastic sport.  Don't forget that Le Tour is coming through Ilkley/ Addingham on BOTH days! 

What we would like to see as a result of all this success, is more people on the roads cycling as Yorkshire has some truely splendid routes to explore, for experts and for novices. So here are some ideas to get you on the road.

Buy a Bike!

Our local cycle shop is JD Cycles. 01943 816101. Click here or phone Jamie or Mitch! They can give you expert advice on the exact bike for you.

Hire a bike

For a relatively small charge you can take out a first-class bike for the weekend and explore Yorkshire in style. Dave Ferguson is your man 01756 795367.

Join our local cycling club

Cycling is a real community sport and Ilkley has the UK's fastest growing cycling club!  Click here. They are keen to recruit new members, whatever your level of experience.

Find the best routes

There are plenty of routes for you to explore, from routes suitable for family day rides through to Four routes any hardcore cyclist must try. Or if you are feeling particularly ambitious, why not cycle the very route that your cycling heroes will be cycling during the Grand Depart in 2014?

Sportives

There are a number of Sportives across Yorkshire each year, find out more here.

Information supplied with help from Welcome to Yorkshire.  Find out more about Le Tour here

(Yes, that's me -Tim! If I can get up that hill, anyone can!)

Philip Richardson - regular cycling guest who comes up from Essex

All clear!

Monday 25th March - Following the adverse weather since Friday, the situation has improved substantially today. We are not anticipating any serious problems for guests arriving with us today.  

Adverse Weather - 23rd/ 24th March 2013

*** More snow is forecast this weekend *** guests all arrived safely but only way in and out is on foot *** trains running ok except on route to Carlisle *** roads to Ilkley currently ok but up to Ilkley Moor is not *** 

We are always fully prepared and intend to remain fully open.  Main roads in the area are expected to stay open (drive with extreme care) and rail services into Ilkley will be operating (possibly with a few delays and cancellations).   Even if you can't do everything you've been planning, local shops, pubs and restaurants should all be open!   We're always prepared for extreme weather here. The boilers are all serviced, we have plenty of cut logs for open fires and our 4x4 vehicle is ready to ferry guests up the hill from the station or town centre.

We appreciate that media reports often indicate a dire and severe situation, which is rarely the case. Of course, the position may be different elsewhere and extra care and measures such as carrying a shovel in your vehicle, extra warm clothing and flasks of hot drinks are always wise precautions. On the positive side, Ilkley and Ilkley Moor always look like Christmas card scenes in the snow. Snowballs and sledging may be the order of the day over the weekend.

Please click here for the latest Met Office Ilkley weather
Please click here for AA advice on winter motoring
Please click here for current National Rail information

Trinity Leeds Open - at last!

Hollister (16,000 square feet and second only to the Regent Street flagship store), Superdry, One Direction -  all new shops that feature at the new Trinity Leeds. Thousands packed into the new shopping centre opening at 10am today.

The centre claims to be creating 3,000 new jobs and to be the only large retail development to open in Europe, this year.  It's the size of 13 football pitches and cost £350m to build the 120 shops (including 40 new brands).

Trinity is a few yards from Leeds rail station.  Trains from Ilkley every half and hour throughout the day (hourly on Sundays).  Journey time - about 29 minutes.  Cheap Day Return fare £5.70 (railcard and Metro card reductions available).

Y13 - Welcome to Yorkshire 2013

Thursday 21st March saw the UK's biggest tourism event. Y13 was organised by Welcome to Yorkshire showcased plans for Le Tour de France 2014 and other major events. It's was held at the West Yorkshire Playhouse in Leeds.

Latest from Y13 as it happened ...

Gary Verity (CEO) confirms that £10 million has been secured to host the event. Will some of this be available to fill potholes on the route?

Le Tour roadshow for Wharfedale businesses will be held in Ilkley on 8th May

Gary Verity announces plans for a "Bike bank" where children can borrow a bike to help them learn to cycle, whilst they save for their own.

Johnny Brownlee MBE (Olympic Gold Medalist) on stage arguing for getting the potholes filled! Sound man!

Plans announced to promote Rugby League World Cup being held later this year.

The Yorkshire Sculpture Triangle is being launched as a brand, promoting four key venues for art and culture. Festivals such as the Ilkley Literature Festival will feature heavily. see www.yorkshire.com
More to follow!

Yorkshire's entry at Chelsea Flower Show will have a cycling theme. Can it win visitors choice for the fourth year in a row?

The Dales returns to ITV in the spring. 4 million viewers every week!

Finally - Double Paralympic Gold winner Hannah Cockcroft MBE is on stage! Inspiring!

Open Day at Westwood Lodge!

Stop Press! Thanks to everyone who called in to say hello this afternoon! We were amazed how many came, toured Westwood, sampled Paula's homemade cakes, sipped Yorkshire Tea and helped fund raising for Macmillan Cancer Care.  We'll hold another Open Day soon, so watch this space !

This Saturday - 16th March 2013! We're opening our doors to offer a glimpse inside The Main House at Westwood Lodge.  Sympathetically restored and refurbished, The Main House has recently been added to our Five Star and Four Star Gold Award self-catering holiday cottages and apartments.  It's a Grade II Listed building usually only available for our overnight guests to see inside!

The Main House has been added in response to people seeking accommodation for larger groups of family and friends.  It’s already proving popular locally for extended family get-togethers, wedding anniversaries, and even funeral gatherings.  The Main House has now received the coveted 4 Star GOLD award from Visit England. It has 2 large reception rooms and 7 bedrooms, sleeping 20 guests, all of whom can dine together in comfort and privacy.

"Guests come from around the world to stay in our cottages, but some Ilkley residents seem to be unaware of our existence.  We want Ilkley folk to see inside at what we have to offer"

"It's a perfect place for a celebration weekend, if you don't have room to accommodate everyone in your own home. The Main House is so spacious that organising a big family birthday weekend, christening or even a college reunion becomes not just feasible, but enjoyable.  We offer a welcome touch of luxury in an incredibly homely setting ".

So, when is it again?  Saturday March 16th from 2pm until 4pm.  Everyone is welcome to drop in, whether or not there's a special occasion in mind.  Coffees, teas and cake will be available with donations to Macmillan Cancer Care.

Westwood Lodge Ilkley Moor, Wells Road, Ilkley LS29 9JF welcome@westwoodlodge.co.uk

Find Out All About Le Tour 2014!

YES!  The world's greatest cycle race - the Tour de France - is coming to Yorkshire next year!  It will start HERE IN YORKSHIRE on 5th and 6th July 2014 bringing millions of fans to the Yorkshire roadside to cheer on the champions of the sport.  It comes to Ilkley and Wharfedale on BOTH DAYS, so we really are in the best place to see it!

It will be the first time Le Tour has visited the north of England having previously only made visits to the south coast and the capital.  Welcome to Yorkshire (we're members!)  are predicting a festival and spectacle for fans and first timers alike and are sure Yorkshire will rise to occasion and give the riders, the teams and the race organisers a Grand Départ to remember.  Here are some quotes from them...

"Yorkshire is a world class county and it will deliver a world class event"

"Over 3 billion people watch Le Tour on television every year providing a wonderful advert for our county and hopefully it will prompt people who maybe haven't visited before or not been in a while to book a break to visit"

 "This is undoubtedly Yorkshire's opportunity to welcome the world"

With the recent success of British riders, notably Bradley Wiggins becoming the first Briton to win Le Tour in 2012 shortly followed by a gold medal time trial performance in London, the popularity of cycling has never been higher.

 

A brand new website has been launched by Welcome to Yorkshire.  To find out more Click here to take Le Tour!

STOP PRESS: Just one apartment left at Westwood Lodge Ilkley Moor for Le Tour weekend - BOOK NOW!  We've still got accommodation for the run-up days and we're encouraging aspiring cyclists to come and try the route this summer!  

Grow Your Own Weekend!

Foodies rejoice! RHS Harlow Carr brings a weekend to tickle your taste buds and inspire you to live the 'good life'. Round up the family and discover the joys of growing your own fruit and veg!

It doesn’t matter how much space you have or your level of experience, there will be something to interest everyone; find out how to create your own small holding, be it for meat, milk or eggs, with the chance to meet some furry and feathered friends too!

You’ll also be able to sample the best produce from around the region and learn how to cook up a storm with fresh fodder at home, as top chef and owner of the Mirabelle Restaurant in Harrogate, Lionel Strub will be hosting outside cookery demos.

23rd and 24th March 2013

Click here to find out more!

Ilkley Literature Festival is 40!

2013 is the Ilkley Literature Festival's 40th Anniversary and they have a busy twelve months ahead, including the 2013 Festival running from Friday 4th to Sunday 20th October.

Snow latest.. (26th January 2013)

We've still heavy snow here today but we're fully open. Text or email if you're arriving and need advice or assistance.

Tour de France - great for Yorkshire, great for you!

Following the announcement of more route information for when the Grand Départ of the Tour de France comes to Yorkshire, Welcome to Yorkshire has launched a new website all about the event next year.

Why is the Tour de France great for Yorkshire?

• The Tour de France is the world’s largest annual sporting event – and it’s coming to Yorkshire!
• The Grand Départ is the opening race of the Tour de France – on July 5, 2014, it will be in Leeds, followed by two days (July 5-6) of racing around Yorkshire
• A worldwide audience of 3.5 billion people watch the Tour de France annually – the eyes of the entire world will be on Yorkshire
• Over 188 countries around the world broadcast the Tour de France
• 2,000 journalists representing dozens of nationalities attend the Tour every year

Will you be joining us? Bookings at Westwood Lodge Ilkley Moor for 2014 opened today! Even if you can't attend the event itself, why not come and cycle part of the route before the big event?

Tour de France Coming to Ilkley!

The routes of the Tour de France 2014 in Yorkshire have been announced and there's been a bit of tweaking!

Day 1 - Saturday 5th July - Leeds Grand Depart > Harewood > ILKLEY > Skipton > Aysgarth > Middleham > Ripon > Harrogate (Sprint finish on The Stray)

Day 2 - Sunday 6th July - York > Knaresborough > Bolton Abbey > Keighley > Haworth > Hebden Bridge > Holme Moss > Sheffield

Find out more..
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/21056721

Weather outlook

Light snow is due on Ilkley Moor this week (up to 18th January).  No problems are expected but we will text guests on arrival day if any difficulties are experienced.

Whatever the weather, we expect to remain fully open for business.  Roads to us are expected to remain open and trains running normally. Before setting off: - 
Click here for the latest Met Office Ilkley weather.
Click here for AA advice on winter motoring.
Click here for any current National Rail service disruption information.  

Have a safe journey!