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!