Directions to Middleton Woods from Ilkley

Remember to use a back up map.

1. The starting point for this walk is the bridge over New Brook Street. Take a look around, on one side of the bridge is the play park, on the other is the skate park and rugby club. This walk guide starts you on the opposite side of the river to the skate park but in reality both paths will eventually lead you to Middleton Woods.

2. Take the steps down onto the surfaced path. On your left is the river, follow the path along the river until you reach the iron 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, but we never really leave Middleton Woods without heading to the rope swing, so that’s our first calling point! After the sign saying ‘Middleton Woods’, keep to the right of it, and take the first main path you see to your right. Follow that and you’ll reach the clearing with a large fallen tree trunk to balance on and the rope swing.

5. Continue on from there along the main path as it climbs through the woods, then head left, as the path takes you in a loose circle around the woodland. There are SO many options here, even for major paths, just make sure you don’t wander too far off piste and end up in a pile of bluebells!

6. If you want to extend the walk further, you can cross the road and head into the upper woods, but we usually find plenty to explore in the lower woods.

7. Dependant on where you explore, you could find stick dens, rope swings, streams, bridges, all sorts to keep little ones entertained! The woods are also teeming with wildlife, so keep your eyes peeled. We’ve spotted deer and gigantic hare in the woods before. Once you have explored the woods thoroughly, head back to the entrance sign where you originally entered the woods. Head back out onto Denton Road.

8. 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.

9. The River Wharfe here has achieved bathing status due to its popularity, so from May 2021, it has been subjected to regular water quality testing. However, there have been ongoing issues with the water quality around the suspension bridge and in the entire bathing area, so if you want to paddle, head further upstream. There is no guarantee that the water will be clean at any point, although Yorkshire Water have started a huge change to the infrastructure of the sewage and wastewater treatment in Ilkley which is supposed to be completed in 2027. Information accurate as of Jan 2026- source www.gov.uk.

10. Once you have had a good 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 (just remember to leave no trace)

Last walked April 2026.