Ilkley past & present - Alex Cockshott

Although it is only half an hour from Leeds and Bradford, Ilkley has retained its smell-town atmosphere. Referred to in the Domesday Book, it was a small argricultural village for centuries; all this changed when the potential of the local waters was realised in the nineteenth century, and Ilkley became known as a spa. The hydros developed and became hotels as the town matured into a tourist attraction and a commuter base for the industrial centres of Leeds and Bradford. In this book Alex Cockshott and Denise Shillitoe compare 150 old photographs with the scene today, bringing Ilkley's fascinating history to life. Ilkley Past & Present will be an essential for visitors and residents alike.