Places to stay near Leeds

[HelloCheeky]

I'm going to be at a conference in Leeds soon and I'd like to make it a mini break too. There seems to be plenty to see and do in the city but I also love countryside. What places are good nearby for pretty town/village, great scenery and light walking? I'd be happy to stay overnight.

Also, I'd like to go to Haworth but last time I went (30 years ago!) it was unbearably full of tourists and I'm guessing it's even worse now?

Otley, Ilkley or Skipton.

Ilkley would be a good choice.

Ilkley has lovely cafes and restaurants and you can also walk up the moor.

Or you could head in to the Dales but that’s about an hours drive. Grassington/Burnsall are on the southern tip.

Skipton? There’s a castle and you have the walks too.

Yes, Otley and/or Ilkley, also Saltaire. Or Hebden Bridge.

Or the North York Moors aren't to far away. There's also the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, which is great for a wander around.

Basically, you're spoilt for choice. I live in Leeds and am out doing this sort of stuff just about every weekend.

Thanks for the tips. I won't have a car so it has to be public transport,

Depends how far you want to travel but Settle is lovely too. For convenience I’d either go with Ilkley (where you can walk straight up onto the moor from the town centre), or herden bridge, which has hardcastle crags. Howarth wont be too busy at this time of year and you could always stay in a nearby village, eg oxenhope.

Haworth, sorry

For ease on public transport I would do Ilkley then. Train direct from Leeds takes about half an hour. Or there’s a train to Skipton.
No trains to Otley but there are buses.

Ilkley is one of my favourites. Walking, lovely shops, good selection of places to eat.

Crescent hotel is good

Definitely Ilkey or Otley.

I used to live in Leeds and work in Ilkey (the best way round!) and the journey is quick and easy.

Otley Chevin is lovely for walking and is a short bus ride from Leeds.

Ilkley.There is a train to Leeds,the Moors behind are just a few steps away and there are buses up to the Dales.
There are plenty of places to eat too but booking ahead is advisable at weekends.

A nice thing to do is walk from ilkley to Saltaire over the moors or vice versa and get the train back, but that depends on your definition of light walking - it's about 8? Miles and up a steep hill from ilkley onto the moor for a start.

Saltaire has the Salts Mill complex with galleries, cafes etc, canal, nice park etc.

Thanks all of you. These are exactly the tips I was looking for and now I'm really looking forward to the trip!