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Keighley is thought to have little to offer the tourist. In the nineteenth century it was considered to be a town for business and not for pleasure, however, Keighley is a town that is full of surprises. It nestles in the beautiful picturesque Aire Valley. To the east of the town can be seen Rombalds Moor, or Ilkley Moor, as it is better known. Keighley Moor lies to the north and west of the town, spreading towards the Lancashire border. The Aire valley, which is wide and beautiful, meanders northward to Skipton. The river Aire runs close to the Leeds Liverpool canal east of the town, whilst the smaller river Worth skirts to the south of the town. This photograph shows the Aire Valley at Low Utley 1 mile to the north of Keighley. Keighley Golf Club is in the foreground and Rombalds moor rises immediately behind it. In the distance there are views to Addingham Moor, Silsden and Cringles. |
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One could be forgiven for driving through or past Keighley to venture northward to the Yorkshire Dales. Many people pass through the town when boarding the steam engines at Keighley railway station to visit the nearby village of Haworth, home of the famous Bronte family. But to stop in Keighley is to discover a town of much diversity. Keighley has many elegant residential and commercial Victorian and Edwardian buildings and also one or two Georgian ones
Temperance Institute once for teetotallers is, now a Wetherspoons bar.
Carnegie Library North Street. This was the first Carnegie Library to be built in the country.
The first Carnegie Library is located on North Street and looks down Cavendish Street, an elegant Edwardian shopping street that has glass canopies projecting over the pavement ensuring that even on wet days the shopper will stay dry.
Keighley war memorial stands in Town Hall Square and was unveiled in 1924. The square is in the heart of the town and offers a pleasant seating area with trees and gardens. Keighley College, Cavendish Street, the Carnegie library and the award wining Bus station are all in easy reach.
War Memorial and Town Hall Square
East Riddlesden Hall, a 17th century manor house is a National Trust property. The house feels intimate and friendly. The gardens are peaceful and worth a visit. There is also a 17th century oak framed barn on the site.
Located in large gardens making it an ideal site to wander around is Cliffe Castle another house of great character that is definitely worth a visit.
Henry Isaac Butterfield, Victorian millionaire and textile manufacturer once owned the house. The house is now a museum and amongst its many exhibits is a display of William Morris stained glass.
Keighley Parish Church (St. Andrew’s) with Church Green in the foreground. There has been a church on this site since the 13th century.
Words & Photos by Lynn Macgill
