The Romans built a fort here, known as Olicana.
A manor house now stands on the site of the fort, and a few sections of the wall can still be seen.
Later, Ilkley became known as a spa town, and in 1840 a Hydro or Hydropathic Establishment opened nearby.
There are three Anglo-Saxon crosses in the churchyard of All Saints, which itself dates from the 13th century.
The town of Ilkley stands to the north of ( not in the middle of) Ilkley Moor, a location immortalised by the famous folk song, On Ilkley Moor baht 'at ("On Ilkley Moor without a hat"). The southern skyline is dominated by the rocky outcrops known as the Cow and Calf Rocks.
The River Wharfe runs through the town, and is crossed by four bridges (Two road, two foot bridges). The river is prone to flooding the sports fields (and a few houses) that now fill the old flood meadows.
To the north and south there are hills, which shelter the town from the worst of the weather.
The eastern part of the town is now called Ben Rhydding, although this area used to be called Wheatley. The name was changed in Victorian times.
A railway connects Ilkley to Leeds and Bradford. There used to also be connections to Addingham, Bolton Abbey, and Skipton to the west, and to Otley, Pool-in-Wharfedale, meeting the main Leeds to Harrogate line at Arthington.
Nearby villages are Denton, Burley in Wharfedale, Bolton Abbey, Middleton, Addingham, and Addingham Moorside.