Ilkley Moor is moorland in West Yorkshire, England, forming part of the broader expanse of Rombalds Moor that extends between the towns of Ilkley and Keighley.
The moor rises to 402 metres above sea level and holds particular cultural significance in Yorkshire as the inspiration for the folk song On Ilkla Moor Baht ‘at (meaning ‘on Ilkley Moor without a hat’ in local dialect), often regarded as the county’s unofficial anthem. The landscape is characterised by open heather moorland, gritstone outcrops and panoramic views across the surrounding valleys. Like much of the Pennine uplands, the area supports habitat for ground-nesting birds and serves as accessible open country within reach of West Yorkshire’s urban centres. The moor forms part of a historically managed landscape shaped by grazing, grouse shooting and recreational use over centuries.
Ilkley Moor appears in Field Notes: Datacentres, geoengineering risks and Bradford’s green plan.
