Advice - moving to Ilkley/otley

[suzy2012]

Hi - my family and I - kids 14,10,7 and hubby are moving up to Yorkshire soon. We are looking at either Ilkley or Otley. Please can anyone advise what both towns are like to live in/ schools etc. Feeling excited but nervous - would really appreciate views/thoughts/ advice. Thank you....

I know people who live in both and the schools are good. Otley has Prince Henry's for secondary and Ilkley has Ilkley Grammar School and may be in catchment for Ermsyteds or Skipton Girls (both selective grammar schools).

Both can get congested with traffic - I often Otley worse than Ilkley if you are trying to drive through and doesn't have a train station (nearest for Otley would be Menston). Ilkley does have a train station with regular services to Leeds, etc.

You can get out into the countryside easily from both of them and it's one of the joys of being in Yorkshire that you are never far away from a wood or a moor to walk in/on!

I had relatives in Otley. We love it. The Chevin, the river Wharfe, the town itself with market place. Menston isn't far to drive to the station. Obviously Ilkley's nice too. Lucky you!

We lived in Ilkley and loved it. Beautiful scenery, the moors, the river, Bar Tat is a great pub, start of the Dales Way.

Otley has Waitrose though!

My one caveat would be that DSis4 attended Ilkley Grammar and did not have a good time there. She has mild learning disabilities and was definitely treated as a second class citizen compared to the more academic kids. She was horrendously bullied, attacked in the loos, sent death threats using the sixth form common room PCs - and basically nothing was done about it.

This was about 8y ago so may be v different now but just in case your children have any SEN I would be wary.

Thanks folks, really appreciate your thoughts - which do you reckon we should go for. Is Ilkley a lot more expensive than Otley or similar? Is there good community/ friendly people?

Hello, I live in Ilkley...moved here 30 odd years ago & it is a great place to bring up a family - the schools are all good, low crime, lovely countryside on the door step & friendly & characterful town centre with independent shops & cafes & restaurants. There are lots of sports clubs including the wonderful lido! We also have an amazing boutique cinema

Otley is nice too but has no railway station, so more awkward to commute & to visit Leeds to shop etc. Please pm me if you have any other questions...I honestly can't think of anywhere else I'd rather live (came from London, via Bradford Uni).

Meant to pick on on the house prices - Ilkley is a little more expensive than Otley, partly because of the train. Prices in the close villages, Burley in Wharfedale & Addingham, are a little cheaper. My DS attends Ilkley Grammar School & is very happy there. It's a large school but is rated outstanding & I've not heard of any bullying in his peer group.

Thank you! Sounds wonderful, really excited about the move. I think ilkley is our preference due to train station as you say and it sounds as though there is loads to do.
Is it tough to get children into ilkley grammar? Is it advisable to live in ilkley itself?

If you live in Ilkley itself it shouldn't be a problem getting a place, usually the villages are fine too although in the past sometimes Addingham kids have not got places but the school has expanded since then. Despite its name it is a comp not a grammar school in the traditional sense. I'd give the school a ring & see if you can look round & meet some staff while you are house-hunting.

Will do, thank you.

If either of you are commuting to Leeds/Bradford then I would definitely recommend living along the Ilkley train line - Ben Rhydding /Burley are both options.

Ilkley and otley are both great places. Ilkley is posher and a little bit more traditional. It also has more high street shops and a number of restaurants. Lots of things going on like the Ilkley literature festival and they have a lovely little concert hall. Otley is less posh (not hard!) but quirky and has a very strong sense of community. Less high street shops and restaurants but lots of great independent cafes and pubs and again, plenty going on. There’s a folk festival, science festival, beer festival. Plus some great little independent shops.
Teachers I know would probably rate Prince Henry’s over IGS, but they’re both good schools.
I’d happily live in either tbh, have you been up to visit them both? They each have quite a different vibe, so it’s worth seeing which would suit you best

Thanks everyone - sounds as though both brilliant places. Going up to visit in the next week or so. Can’t wait.

So, really appreciate the advice about otley and ilkley - can any one advise what burley in Wharfedale is like.? Looks lovely....

It is lovely, seems to have plenty going on community wise (they have a great summer festival each year), and has two lovely primary schools. Lovely park and easy walking up onto the moor or down to the river. Bradford council wants to allow developers to build 500 new homes there though so it may get a little full. You can guarantee they won’t make building a new school or extra services part of the housing development, developers always find a way around it money grabbing bastards

Hello OP, Burley in Wharfedale is lovely too, still access to IGS. There are the housing plans, which are being opposed locally but we'll see what happens. There are some great houses in the village & in Burley Woodhead at the top, very close to the moors. Hope you enjoyed your visit

Have hit a problem. My middle son is year 5 now. We are not sure exactly when can move up, depends on house sale really - nothing moving where we are at the moment. But been told if he is not living in the area by October 31 it’s unlikejy he will get a secondary place at local school - ilkley grammar. And will just be allocated a place at a school with space but won’t know which one/could be a way away and don’t know where. Really anxious as don’t know much about the other schools other than king Henry in Otley which also looks great but also very oversubscribed do that probably not an option. Can anyone advise please?

Have not got direct experience but if you are in the catchment prior to September 2020 you would have good grounds to appeal/request admission. Have you talked to the school or Bradford Council? If you are on Facebook, there is an Ilkley Chat & an Ask Ilkley group...you could join these & see if anyone has experienced this? Or I will ask on your behalf...let me know

Another thought - could you rent before buying (realise this may not be feasible but an idea...)

Thank you soo much. I’ll try those groups. Yes wondering now if my hubby and son might have to rent and move down earlier. All tricky. Really appreciate your help. Xx

St Mary's in Menston is also a good school and not that far from Burley or Ilkley.

St Mary’s is a catholic school that you have very little chance of getting into if you don’t have baptismal certificates. Menston primary is the nearest school to st Mary’s and most of the kids from there go to prince Henry’s and guiseley as they can’t get into st Mary’s.