WALK ROUTE

Riverside Gardens

The perfect genteel walk for all the family. This walk is especially perfect for children as there’s lots for them to see and do on the way from the newly built riverside playground, paddling in the river and playing on the pebble beaches to feeding ducks and even having a skate in the skatepark.

View step-by-step guide

Walk Length

43 min

Circular Walk

1.74 miles

Elevation

25 ft

Difficulty

Easy

Accessibility: Mainly even, paved surfaces. In wet weather, wheelchair users may want to use an alternative route along Denton Road to join the Suspension bridge. Wheelchair users will also need to veer to the left just before the steps to access the Old Bridge.
Points of Interest: River Wharfe, skatepark, pebble beaches, Ilkley Lido, suspension bridge, Ilkley Cemetery, playground, gardens, Old Bridge Nursery
Dog friendly
Child friendly
Refreshments: Riverside Hotel where you can eat at the restaurant or have fish ‘n’ chips and ice cream as a takeaway, two ice cream vans en route.
Parking: Riverside Gardens car park, on-street parking on New Brook Street bridge, near the cemetery, Ilkley Wharfe View car park, and some spaces on the road near the nursery.
Toilets: Public toilets by the Riverside Hotel.

Step-by-step guide: Riverside Gardens walk, Ilkley

Step 1

Access point A, by taking the ramp that is on the right hand side, just after you cross over New Brook St bridge (as if you’re walking away from Ilkley town centre).

Step 2

Follow the path alongside the river, the river and a lovely pebble beach will be on your right and the skateboard park is on your left.

Step 3

Keep walking until you emerge onto Denton Road and turn right.

Step 4

Walk round the bend of the road until you meet with the entrance of the suspension bridge on your right.

Step 5

Cross over the bridge and enjoy the views.

Step 6

Turn right when you get to the other side and follow the path going alongside the river. The river will be on your right. Shortly after you start walking on this path you will pass the pebble beach. This beach is perfect for feeding the ducks and letting your dog have a little swim. Kids can paddle here too, but they need to keep near the edge of the water as the current can be strong in this part of the river.

Step 7

Keep following the path alongside the river. You will pass the entrance to the cemetery on your left. Stick to the path and continue on. Soon houses will appear to your left.

Step 8

Continue on the path alongside the South Bank riverside.

Step 9

You will see the bridge ahead of you and a pedestrian tunnel that goes underneath it. Walk through the tunnel (great spot for echoey conversations).

Step 10

Once you go through the tunnel you are in the main riverside gardens. On your right is a tiny beach that is also perfect for feeding ducks.

Step 11

Walk along the path towards the playground (which will be on your left hand side).

Step 12

Continue on the path and you will pass the Riverside Hotel on your left as well as the public toilets.

Step 13

Walk under some low hanging trees until you reach the steps up to the Old Bridge.

Step 14

Walk up the steps and turn right onto the bridge.

Step 15

Cross over the bridge and turn right back on to the path going along the river.

Step 16

Again the river will be on your right and some houses will be on your left.

Step 17

Walk along the river towards the New Brook St bridge. The football ground will now be on your left.

Step 18

Walk to the end of the field until you see the ramp or steps up to the road and you’ll be back to where we started the walk.

Note well

If you are a wheelchair user or are pushing a pram, please note the alternative routes for this walk for you will be:

Step 1 – stick to Middleton Ave instead of taking the ramp down to the river. You will then need to take the first right onto Denton Road. Go along the road past the rugby ground, Lido and cricket ground until you reach the entrance to the suspension bridge on your right.
Step 13 – you can veer to the left just before the steps and take the path round to the bridge instead.
Step 18 – take the path that steers left towards the ramp before you reach the steps.