How to Spend 24 hours in Burley-in-Wharfedale
Burley in Wharfedale is an idyllic village nestled in the Wharfedale valley at the edge of the Yorkshire Moors and just a stones throw away from the picturesque
Spa Town of Ilkley. This charming place boasts fantastic transport links to nearby Harrogate and Leeds, making it an ideal location for families and young professionals to call home. With that in mind, here’s our top tips on how to spend a memorable 24 hours in Burley in Wharfedale.
Morning Exploration
It’s 8am and its breakfast time.
It’s time to set you up for a full day of exploring this beautiful village and there’s no better way to start the day than with a hearty breakfast at Arlo’s. Whether it’s a traditional full English breakfast you fancy or a more continental option of croissants and pastries, or even a healthy smashed avocado on toast, this place has you covered. Found on the main street of Burley in Wharfedale this little independent café provides the perfect spot for a nice, relaxed breakfast.
10am and your chance to explore the great outdoors.
Now you’re all fuelled up and ready to go, how about a steady walk to stretch those muscles. Locally you can try the Burley in Wharfedale Circular Walk. This circular walk takes you around 2 hours and 15 minutes to complete, and is a great route not just for walking, but running and mountain biking too. It can be tough in places with some challenging climbs, but we can promise that the wonderful views you’ll come across are well worth the effort.
Alternatively, you can venture slightly further afield to the nearby Spa Town of Ilkley and discover the awe-inspiring views of The Cow and Calf Ilkley Moor Circular Walk.
There are many starting points to this walk, but we recommend starting and ending at The Wheatley Arms. Taking around 2 hours to complete, it’s one of the shorter walks near Burley in Wharfedale and it will take you onto Ilkley Moor itself for some breath-taking views out across the local countryside. You’ll also discover an historic well cottage as well as some bold rock formations as you make your way along the route. It’s a customisable walk so it’s up to you how you choose to tackle it, but either way it is a great introductory walk if you’re new to the area.
If walking isn’t your thing, then why not embark upon a spot of shopping before lunch?
Enjoy a wander around Ilkley’s bustling town centre and treat yourself in one of Ilkley’s many independently owned shops. From clothes, home accessories, gifts and books to beauty and traditional DIY. Ilkley has everything you need, from day-to-day essentials to special one-off gifts.
Lunchtime Delights
12:30 and it’s time for a spot of lunch.
After a productive morning working up an appetite its time for a spot of lunch. The Red Lion Hotel is the perfect place to settle down and recharge for the afternoon ahead. This local pub is at the heart of the community in Burley in Wharfedale and it prides itself on providing a warm and welcoming environment with delicious food and drinks that will make you feel instantly at home. Serving traditional pub favourites such as gammon, egg, and chips alongside lighter bites such as a posh fish finger sandwich or classic BLT, the Red Lion Hotel certainly hits the spot.
Afternoon Activities
It’s 2:30 and its time to take in the culture.
Ilkley Manor House stands in the heart of Ilkley, and it is only an 11-minute drive from our development. The unique building dates from the 14th century and is built on the footprint of a Roman fort. Here you can discover the story of the house through time, exploring its connection to Ilkley’s heritage, landscape, people, and place in the wider world. There’s always plenty to see and do as there’s the museum to explore, art exhibitions to see, live performances and even courtyard concerts running throughout the year.
You can’t have 24hours in Burley in Wharfedale without visiting Ilkley Toy Museum.
This must-see attraction is only a 10-minute drive away from our development, and we guarantee both you and the children will have hours of fun. The museum contains one of the finest private collections of toys in the North of England, and many of the exhibits feature dolls, dolls houses, teddy bears, tin plate toys, lead figures and a selection of games together with wooden and paper toys. This museum is a walk down memory lane and will leave your children asking, ‘you played with that when you we’re young?
No visit to Burley in Wharfedale would be complete without a quick stop at Bettys Tea Room, Ilkley for that sweet treat.
This Yorkshire institution is an absolute must for afternoon tea, cakes, scones, and light bites. If the café wasn’t tempting enough, it’s impossible to walk past the shop without taking a little something home for later. Fat rascal anyone?
Maybe you’d prefer to relax and unwind after a morning of exertion on the trails.
Just a mere 7-minute drive from our development at Greenholme Mews and you can be pampered at the exquisitely serene Otley Chevin Country Park Hotel and Spa. Housed in the woodland of an alpine style retreat, the spa provides a calming environment, nurturing atmosphere with sheer relaxation, rejuvenation, and tranquillity at its core. For an additional treat why not include a Pro-Glow Smooth facial or deep tissue massage to really blow those cobwebs away. This secluded retreat will perfectly complement your afternoon of stress-free relaxation.
Dinner and Evening Entertainment
6pm and its time to make that dinner reservation.
You had better make sure you have booked well in advance. The Box Tree restaurant is a small, but perfectly formed and renowned restaurant has been a part of Ilkley for the past 40 years. Housed in one of the oldest buildings in Ilkley, originally a Yorkshire stone farmhouse dating from 1720, this multi-award winning, Michelin starred restaurant boasts a modern French classical menu and extensive wine cellar which offers food lovers an unforgettable dining experience. It will be the pièce de resistance to any visit.
Once dinner is finished why not take in a show at the stunning Kings Hall and Winter Gardens?
A traditional Victorian theatre and a glass-roofed spa hall which hosts a wide range of events and community provision. From a variety of professional productions including enchanting family shows, must-see music concerts and inspiring talks, to local amateur dramatic and performing arts companies, weddings, parties, lifestyle fairs and community events. It is also one of the key venues for the Summer Festival held in August every year and the hugely popular Ilkley Literature Festival.
Nightlife and Local Tips
10pm and the night is young.
Time for some after show drinks? Then look no further than Ilkley’s first-class drinks carriage. Located within Ilkley's historic railway station, The Ticket Office is the perfect spot to start (and end) your night out. Offering the best cocktails in town, alongside an extensive wine list and premium lagers The Ticket Office is the hottest ticket in town. With outdoor seating areas on the Platform Terrace and cocktail masterclasses on offer inside, it really is the place to be.
Midnight and after a jampacked day, its bedtime.
Time to head back and settle down for a great night’s sleep. The Craiglands Hotel has been offering its guests a comfortable stay for more than 150years. This timeless grand Victorian Hotel, situated in 6 acres of stunning landscaped grounds and woodlands, provides the ideal place for business or pleasure. With 63 contemporary ensuite rooms boasting all the mod cons, a fully refurbished 500 capacity ballroom, state of the art fitness facilities, modern French restaurant and bar, there is plenty to make your stay a comfortable one.
Local Gems and Hidden Treasures
A hidden treasure not to be missed is Ilkley’s Independent Cinema. This is a two-screen independent cinema in the heart of Yorkshire, showing a wide range of films alongside hosting other related events throughout the year. It also boasts a popular balcony terrace, bar, and lounge area serving food and drink. It truly is a cinema experience like no other and it is perfect for a trip with the kids or perhaps even a date.
Theres certainly plenty to do with 24 hours in Burley in Wharfedale, so much that we highly recommend a return visit or even a longer stay. If you’d like find your forever home in this area, take a look at
our exclusive homes on Greenholme Mews, situated in Burley in Wharfedale and take your time exploring this beautiful village.