Visit Ilkley Manor House on 9-10 & 16-17 September, from 1100-1600! We are open on weekends and entry is free. However, we are organising quirky & unique activities specifically for this year's HODS.

We have a wealth of Roman history since the House is built on the site of the Roman fort. The Romans occupied the area from ca. 80 AD to the late 4th century. At 1100 on 9 and 16 September, local expert John Cockshott will lead a tour around our Roman fort. It will last up to an hour with time for questions. John will cover the historical background of the area, the reasons for the fort's location, and the controversy about its Latin name! There will be an opportunity afterwards to see the Manor House's Roman collection, including the renowned Verbeia altar stones and the tombstone dedicated to the Romano-British woman, Vedica. The tour is free but booking is essential. N.B. The Roman artefacts are on the ground floor.

On both weekends, we will offer family fun focused on the Neolithic to Bronze Age, a period we do not usually explore at the Manor House. Children can create their own cup & ring markings in air-dry clay inspired by patterns found on Ilkley Moor. They can make Stone Age jewellery by threading clay beads with string. View our collection of ancient arrowheads & axes. Plus, test their knowledge with our Stone and Bronze Age quiz! This will be a fun way for children to learn about Ilkley's prehistoric past & have a keepsake to remember their time with us.

Event Times

Saturday 9 September: Open 1100-1600, Tour 1100-1200
Sunday 10 September: Open 1100-1600
Saturday 16 September: Open 1100-1600, Tour 1100-1200
Sunday 17 September: Open 1100-1600

Booking Details

Pre-booking: Required
The main site is free to explore, Ilkley Manor House is open from 1100-1600, but the tour must be pre-booked.
Booking Contact: Alex Wild
Call: 07791770952
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Go to: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/castrum-tour-of-ilkleys-roman-fort-tickets-625321181487
Go to: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/castrum-tour-of-ilkleys-roman-fort-tickets-625325995887

Access

The ground floor is accessible, but there are uneven flagstones. The first floor is only accessible via stairs (18 steps). The loos are unisex. There is one step with railings on both sides to go down to them. There is a baby changing facility, footstool, & free sanitary products. The area around the House is cobbled. The House stands on a slope up from the Riverside Gardens. There are 4 Manor House parking spaces - please contact us in advance if you need to park here. Dogs allowed downstairs; assistance dogs permitted throughout the House. There is a space to leave pushchairs and prams.

Additional Information

Max 25 people per tour/session. Walking around and inside the House for roughly one hour. Ilkley Manor House is an historic medieval building home to a museum, art gallery, wedding venue, and event space. Ilkley Civic Society's Local History Hub meets here, and Ilkley Manor House Trust puts on a variety of exhibitions and workshops throughout the year. The Trust's vision is to create a space that tells the story of the house, the land it sits on, and how this has shaped the development of the town of Ilkley. Entry to the House is free. However, donations are always welcome to help us continue our vital work. Contact for the day: Alex Wild, Visitor Engagement Lead. Phone: 07791770952. Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.ilkleymanorhouse.org/