"Another great stay thank you. The Flying Duck pub visited twice. Good beer, well kept and a selection of good bottled beers. No problem with getting a table and bar staff very friendly. The Siam Square Thai was very good. A little expensive, but service and food good. The Wells cafe was lovely, but defintely needed to book which we had before we arrived. The choice was limited, but that's what gives you the quality and excellent. The chef/owner was very engaging, quality food and good value. The wine list was small but reasonably priced. A proper bistro, reasonable priced, small menu, good food, good atmosphere. The Panache which you know anyway, couldn't be faulted. It stood up against the Birmingham curry houses.

 

Great walks, great food. thanks!"

JB and VB from Shropshire - April 2014

More Restoration Work to Westwood Lodge - Listed Building Consent application submitted

Tim and Paula have submitted an application to further restore Westwood Lodge to her former glory. Out will go all the remaining 1960's and 70's modern softwood windows to be replaced by proper Victorian style mock sashes. Modern Velux windows will go too, to be replaced by conservation style windows or proper slate dormers in the style of the originals that still exist. The courtyard cottages will be re-roofed using the original slates that will be carefully removed and relaid with galvanised nails after insulation has been installed and any rotten timbers replaced. Rusting guttering will be renewed with aluminium retro style in keeping with the originals. The biggest change will see the original double-hipped roof and glazing to the Victorian writing room (now The Moorview) reinstated to replace the ugly, flat roofed modern monstrosity. A separate planning application regarding Tim and Paula's domestic living arrangements will be made later in the year.

We've been here for over 12 years and are as determined as ever to fully restore the Westwood Lodge buildings to their former glory for us, our holiday guests, town residents and future generations to enjoy, without the fear of falling back into disrepair through neglect said Tim

Click here to see how Westwood Lodge will look after completion of the work

LATEST - Listing Building Consent was granted on 19th November 2010. A date has yet to be set for when the work will take place.

Charles Darwin in Ilkley!

It's 200 years since Charles Darwin was born. He became world famous for his book "On the Origin of Species by Natural Selection" published exactly 150 years ago. What is less well known is that Darwin came to Ilkley just before his work was published. He arrived on 4th October 1859 to take the "water cure" at the Wells House Hydro - just 200 yards down the road from Westwood Lodge. He was joined by his wife and family and they enjoyed Ilkley so much that they took an apartment here at North House (now known as Hillside). Darwin received his review copy prior to publication, was here when his book was officially published (24th November) and where he started revisions for the second edition of his great work. Visitors to Westwood Lodge can still see both Wells House and North House as well as stroll around the Darwin Millenium Gardens and maze, just a couple of minutes walk from Westwood Lodge Ilkley Moor.

Winter Wonderland!

We've had some great snow here (February 2009). Here's a couple of pictures to give you a taste! Rest assured, we've never been snowed in here. The road to us is kept clear for the shuttle bus to operate. So don't be put off coming to stay, will you?

Cafe Review - Smoooth

I'll be frank and say that when I heard that a smoothie bar was to open on Wells Road, I had big doubts. When the opening got delayed by several months, failed to get a hot food licence, announced that they didn't want to appeal just to school children and then struggled to find staff (they even approached me, so they must have been desperate!), my expectations were low. It was therefore a pleasant surprise when I tried it out last week, having had favourable comments from my children who had already been several times in the opening few days. The place is bigger than I expected, going right back into a lounge room at the rear. The decor is clean and fresh and not nearly as cheap and cheerful as I feared. The menu is very extensive when you consider it revolves around a few drinks, sandwiches and salads. For example, there are a dozen different smoothies to try with exotic ingredients such as acai and passion fruit. And here lies the problem. At peak periods they just can't cope with the menu. I called in on a Saturday afternoon and, whilst not over full, you could immediately sense from the absence of drinks and food on the tables that service was struggling. I had to wait nearly forty minutes for a basic panini (the only hot food). Others had clearly got fed-up and left. A waitress was wandering around with a tray of items and I had to point out that the people had gone at least fifteen minutes before it arrived. The preparation area is on full display and staff were trying to identify - without success - whether table 14 had ordered a Tropical Storm or a Brazilian Boost. The quality of the food and drinks is general very good. The smoothies are not cheap but interesting and tasty. The cakes - especially the organic carrot cake - were good, the panini (goats cheese and roasted vegetables) ok but served with a very tired salad garnish. Some things are over the top. You can't just have a pot of tea, you have to have a wooden board boasting a "tea temple with a fine glass teapot". All very well but glass is not good for keeping the tea hot and it was half cold by the time it arrived. There was more commotion when it was time to pay. A long wait whilst staff were trying to work out more orders and then no change in the til, meaning that the tip box had to be raided for coins. I hope Smoooth succeeds. A lot of preparation has gone into the place and - with the multi-nationals like Pizza Express creeping in, Ilkley needs small, individual places to open up like this. They must get the service sorted out and need to consider opening on Sundays. They also promote their website, but that doesn't exist yet either. Do go when it's quiet; avoid on a Saturday, or if you've got a train to catch. 14-16 Wells Road (01943) 600064. Take-away also available. Quality 9/10, Atmosphere 9/10, Service 2/10, Value 7/10, Wow factor 8/10. STOP PRESS - December 2010 - we hear that Smoooth has now closed. Very sad.