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 ILKLEY MANOR HOUSE
Art Gallery & Museum

Castle Yard, Church Street, Ilkley LS29 9DT
tel. 01943-600066 fax. 01948-817079

The Manor House Gallery and Museum can be found through the archway
by the pedestrian lights in Church Street (A65) next to the Parish Church

opening times (admission free)
Monday closed (except Bank Holidays)
Tuesday 2pm - 4pm Friday 11am - 5pm
Wednesday 11am-5pm Saturday 11am-5pm
Thursday 11am - 5pm Sunday 1pm-4pm

• The Manor House
  Wander through an unimposing archway in Church Street close by All Saints Church and you will discover Ilkley's most treasured building: The Manor House. Although it has undergone many alterations since the 13th century when it was first built it remains an attractive and wonderful place to house interesting ancient artefacts, changing exhibitions presenting some of the best of northern artists work and is the hub of a range of cultural activities.
  

• The Manor House Collection
  The ground floor museum houses Roman and Victorian artefacts. 
  The Manor House is an attractive Art Gallery and Museum situated in the pretty former Spa Town of Ilkley, benefiting from a picturesque riverside location. It offers the visitor exciting glimpses into the past and insight into the work of some of the best artists and crafts people in the locality. The Manor House has been arranged and furnished with items from the 17th and 18th century including some fine 17th century oak furniture. The 'SolarWing', now the Museum, contains displays that illustrate the historv of Ilkley from Prehistoric times through to the Victorian period when Ilkley was an important Spa resort. The displays include local finds of Prehistoric material, some Victorian items and some Roman artefacts recovered from the fort. On the first floor there are two galleries where lively and changing programmes of exhibitions are displayed.
  

• Roman Fort of Olicana
  The Manor House is one of the oldest buildings in Ilkley and stands in the Roman Fort of Olicana, which was abandoned in the late 4th/5th century AD. Although the fort fell into ruins it occupied an important site that also became the focus of Medieval Ilkley and it is to this period of history that the earliest parts of the Manor House have been dated. Situated in the grounds behind the Manor House is a small section of ruined walling that was once part of the Western defensive wall of the Roman Fort Olicana. In order to identify the position of the fort, four plaques have been put up to mark the approximate positions of the gateways into the fort. There are three interpretation boards on the site (see map above) and a 15 minute video in the museum.
  

• Educational Services
  Adult and school groups who would like information about education visits should contact Mary Bentham.
  

• Museum Shop
  The shop stocks a wide range of souvenirs and reproduction Roman gifts relating to the Manor House and the Roman Fort of Olicana.
  

• Activity Centre
  Talks, artefact handling sessions, workshops and other educational activities take place here. The centre and Manor House are available for hire when not in use.
  

• Summer Walks on Roman & Victorian Ilkley.
  Consult the Manor House for specific dates.
  

• Friends of the Manor House
  The Friends hold regular meetings.