Ilkley Manor House

Ilkley Manor House is a stone building with medieval arches on Church Street that incorporates materials from a Roman fort within its structure. The property combines features from different periods into a single structure that serves as both a museum and heritage centre today.

The great hall was built in 1390 and used stone from the Roman fort Olicana, making it one of West Yorkshire's oldest domestic buildings. This reuse of materials shows how medieval builders transformed ancient structures for new purposes.

The rooms display objects from many periods, including Neolithic arrowheads, Anglo-Saxon carved blocks, and Roman household items. These items tell the story of the different people who lived and passed through this place over thousands of years.

The building is open to the public and offers free entry for visitors who want to take time exploring the rooms. Plan your visit for times when staff are present so you can fully enjoy the collections and learn more about each item.

The building features a two-story projecting bay window with an integrated medieval toilet inside. This detail shows how inventive medieval architects were when solving practical living problems.

Location: Ilkley

Inception: 1892

Operator: Bradford Museums and Galleries

Website: http://bradfordmuseums.org/venues/visit/manor-house-art-gallery-museum

GPS coordinates: 53.92720,-1.82472

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:00