A STUNNING town has been hailed as one of the best places to live in the UK – but it comes with one downside.
In-demand Ilkley was named among Britain’s top spots – for the third consecutive year.
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Judges said the spa town “continues to dazzle with its enviable shops, schools, scenery and transport links”.
Known as West Yorkshire’s ‘town of millionaires’, Ilkley’s residents enjoy a quieter pace of life – with its Victorian shopping arcade, famous Betty’s tearoom and picture postcard Cow and Calf rocks.
In fact the town is so loved, it is the subject of Yorkshire’s unofficial anthem, folk tune On Ilkla Moor Baht ‘at.
Locals revealed why they love the well-heeled town – 15 miles from Leeds and once home to stars such as Dame Judi Dench and Alan Titchmarsh.
Sally Wilson, 61, with her 16-month-old grandson Theo, raved: “It’s so genteel here and the shops are brilliant.
“Even the charity shops are great – they are full of brilliant stuff and you can bag a bargain.
“You go to other towns and they look a bit sad and neglected. But you could never say that about Ilkley, they really make an effort to keep the place thriving.”
House prices have rocketed in Ilkley as a result of its perennial placement in the Sunday Times Best Places To Live guide.
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The average price of a house is now an eye-watering £530,000 – more than double the price in nearby Silsden.
Homeowners are drawn in by its top-rated schools, stunning countryside views and bustling town centre.
Holly Powell, 28, grew up in the Middle Eastern sunshine of Dubai but now calls Ilkley home.
She said: “It rains a lot more here but I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.
“It’s a Victorian spa town so it’s beautiful and people really take care of the place.
“I’d like there to be more alcohol-themed things to do but we can work on that.
“It’s kind of the best of both worlds here because you can get out into the countryside – or you can be in Leeds in 30 minutes.”
At the trendy Bar T’at – named after the famous folk song – barmaid Natalie Smith told how the summer sees tourists descend on the town.
She said: “In the summer it gets packed. Our beer garden is always full and everyone has a great time.
“People love our great pubs and restaurants – and the Ilkley Brewery is fab, too.”
But there is one common downside of living in Ilkley.
Natalie, 30, revealed: “Parking!
“That’s the one thing that frustrates everyone.”
And Sally agreed, adding: “The worst thing about Ilkley is that it is a victim of its own success – sometimes it’s impossible to find a parking space.”
Despite the parking problems, Ilkley town centre is filled with independent shops, cafes, and restaurants and regularly hosts events such as the Ilkley Literature Festival or the Ilkley Art Trail.
Top celeb chef Marco Pierre White learned his trade aged 17 at the Michelin-starred Box Tree restaurant.
Ilkley Moor, which lies above the town, is where Monty Python filmed The Meaning of Life.
Hayley Dunn, 33, said: “Everyone’s friendly and you never get any trouble or rudeness.
“You can walk in any shop and they’re always so friendly and welcoming – even if you don’t end up buying anything.”
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