ILKLEY

When we arrive in Ilkley, it has got dark, so we head straight to the Wetherspoons.

Not far away, the Albert, a fine freehouse when visited in 2012. It's changed a bit since - read on.

Opposite the railway station is the Midland.

 The next day has dawned and there's time to look around Ilkley. Here's an old postcard of the bridge over the Wharfe.

A more modern view - not much has changed.

Al Saints Church in 2016.

The Manor House, now a 'community asset'.

A couple of postcards of Ilkley town centre, early 1950s. The girder bridge once carried the railway to Skipton.

The railway station and its staff in pre-grouping times.

Ikley station in 1986, showing the through platforms out of use.

The signal box, of Midland Railway design. Behind is the former Ilkley Brewery.

The traditional signalling has now gone. The through platforms have morphed into a car park. Electric trains have arrived.

Class 333 EMUs now run the service.

The Keighley Brothers used to run a bus to Burnsall.

First and Transdev now operate most of the bus services.

Connexxions also pay occasional visits.

I don't think the Wharfe Cottage pub exists any more.

Bar T'at is a great little place.....and often visited by Coco the dog.

Friends of Ham has arrived, a little sister to the one in Leeds.

The Albert that we saw earlier is now called the Flying Duck and houses Wharfedale Brewery.

Let's conclude at the Crescent Inn, where we can visit the bar, drink a local ale and, maybe, stay the night.

The next post will take us towards Otley and beyond.

'AVE YER GOT YER 'AT?

Across country for a short distance until we reach the Midland Railway's Skipton to Grassington branch at Rylstone station.

Further up the branch is the current terminus, at Swinden Works. This ex BR loco was used to shunt the sidings in 1972.

Just outside Grassington is the village of Linton, with its church, photographed in 1998.

Here's Grassington station, MR.

The River Wharfe has a cascade of weirs at Grassington.

The Square at Grassington, with a lovely West Yorkshire RCC bus.

Grassington town centre in 2009.

Now we're up on Grassington Moor, where there are the remains of some lead mines.

Down by the Wharfe again, beside the village of Burnsall.

St Wilfred's church, Burnsall.

Next door, the old grammar school.

Following the River Wharfe, we come to the famous stepping stones beside Bolton Abbey.

Bolton Abbey station has been rebuilt by the Yorkshire Dales Railway.

"68005" on a YDR service.

Next stop Addingham, seen from the air.

Here's the station in pre-grouping times.

The typical MR signal box.

At last....a pub, the Crown at Addingham. Oh no! It's shut now!

Thankfully, the Fleece is still serving pints.

Got your hat? We're off onto Ilkley Moor.

The next post will see us getting warm in Ilkley, if we haven't caught us death o' cold! See where we've been on the map.