Middleton Woods, Ilkley

Directions to Middleton Woods from Ilkley

1. The starting point for this walk is the bridge over New Brook Street. You need to take the steps down on the opposite side of the bridge to the playpark, and the town centre side of the river. Clear as mud? Good! If you do happen to go down the wrong side, just keep following the river up to Denton Road and you’ll find the woods there.

2. Head down the steps onto the wide tarmacked path alongside the river, keeping the water on your left. Head east along here and keep following it until you reach the suspension bridge. Below here is a great little place to stop for a minute or two to throw in stones on the stony bank of the river. Sometimes you might find ducks too!

3. Cross the suspension bridge, and then cross Denton Road 🛑 Denton Road can get busy, take care when crossing. The entrance to Middleton Woods is marked by a signpost and is clearly visible ahead.

4. Once inside, the world is your oyster! You can turn right and loop round the edge of the Hudson Wood end, you can head straight up the middle, it really is your decision. The shortest route is straight up to the top, heading more or less straight on and up until you get to some steps leading up to Curly Hill (the road that divides the woods). Here, you can cross the road and carry on exploring the upper section of the woods. The routes are clear and well walked and I recommend using the gradient of the ground and the 2 roads to get your bearings.

5. Dependant on where you explore, you could find stick dens aplenty, rope swings, interesting steps, stones, streams, bridges, all sorts to keep little ones entertained! The woods are also teeming with wildlife, so keep your eyes peeled! Once you have explored the woods thoroughly, head back downhill to the entrance where you originally entered the woods. Head back out onto Denton Road.

6. Cross the road, and turn right. Shortly there will be a path heading alongside the river on your left. Here there are loads of spots to get down to the river to throw in stones. Be warned that on a sunny, hot weekend, the river bank can get extremely busy.

7. The River Wharfe here has just achieved bathing status due to its popularity, so from May 2021, it will be subjected to regular water quality testing. However, there have been issues with the water quality around the suspension bridge, so if you want to paddle, head further upstream. Information accurate as of Jan 2023- source www.gov.uk.

8. Once you have had a paddle, splash, stone throwing session, or maybe even a picnic, head back towards New Brook Street Bridge and take the steps back up to the road where you started!