Friends of Ilkley Cemetery

Sunday August 11 2pm Cemetery walk led by Denise Shillitoe, meet Ashlands Road entrance 

Ilkley has long been known as a spa town. Initially people came to “take the waters” at White Wells and then in 1840s “the water cure” became popular as well. The first hydrotherapy establishment opened in 1844 – Ben Rhydding Hydro – soon to be followed by Wells House Hydro, Craiglands, Troutbeck and many others.

Friends of Ilkley Cemetery, part of Ilkley Civic Society, have organised a short, guided walk, led by Denise Shillitoe, to talk about some of the people connected with Ilkley’s Hydros – owners, staff and guests – who are remembered in Ilkley Cemetery.

Meeting at 2pm at the Ashlands Road entrance and lasting approximately 90 minutes.

If you would like further information please visit the Ilkley Civic Society website at www.civicsociety.ilkley.org or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Please note: all children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Ilkley has long been known as a spa town. Initially people came to “take the waters” at White Wells and then in 1840s “the water cure” became popular as well. The first hydrotherapy establishment opened in 1844 – Ben Rhydding Hydro – soon to be followed by Wells House Hydro, Craiglands, Troutbeck and many others.

Friends of Ilkley Cemetery, part of Ilkley Civic Society, have organised a short, guided walk, led by Denise Shillitoe, to talk about some of the people connected with Ilkley’s Hydros – owners, staff and guests – who are remembered in Ilkley Cemetery.

Meeting at 2pm at the Ashlands Road entrance and lasting approximately 90 minutes.

If you would like further information please visit the Ilkley Civic Society website at www.civicsociety.ilkley.org or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Please note: all children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

The Friends of Ilkley Cemetery undertake improvement work in the cemetery, including litter picking and simple gardening jobs, researching of tombstones and natural history. Our main activities involve tidying graves, cutting back weeds and undergrowth as well as bulb planting, leaf clearing, and litter picking. We report any interesting wildlife sightings such as rare plants, bats and unusual birds to the local wildlife groups.

The Friends of Ilkley Cemetery normally meet for an hour or so on Tuesday afternoons at 2pm. Planned meeting dates are weather dependent and may also be affected by changes in Covid-19 social distancing and lockdown measures.

So, if you would like to join us then please email us on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.to check the latest plans and meeting arrangements. 

For assistance with family and local history queries contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For help with burial arrangements and locating family graves please contact Bereavement Services, Shay Grange Crematorium, Long Lane, Bradford BD9 6ST Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

The Commonwealth War Graves website currently lists 46 graves in Ilkley Cemetery. Details

can be found at www.cwgc.org

For pictures and a brief history of the cemetery download:  History_of_Cemetery.pdf 

Leaflet:  A Brief Guide to Ilkley Cemetery:   240717_Leaflet_for_Ilkley_Cemetery.pdf