Welcome to the Friends of Ilkley Moor Website…
The Friends of Ilkley Moor is a voluntary and democratic group composed of people who love Ilkley Moor and want to see it conserved and improved for future generations.
Ilkley Moor lies above Ilkley; an urban common, a site of special scientific interest, a part of the South Pennines Special Protection Area. Browse our website to learn more about FoIM and this special moorland habitat.
If you share our aims and our love for this iconic open space please join us or make a donation.
Latest News
FoIM AGM Chairman’s Report
Volunteer With Us
Join our volunteer days for the local community to carry out conservation activities on Ilkley Moor.
Help us protect this special place
Heather moorland is one of the world’s rarest habitats. Over 75% of the world’s entire heather moorland is found in Britain. Red grouse and short eared owls nest in the taller heather clumps, golden plover, lapwing and curlew nest in the shorter vegetation.
In winter only a few species of birds are found on the moors, but in spring large numbers of waders, that have spent the winter on lowland fields and estuaries, return to breed. Some of the birds that nest on the moor, winter in this country. Others, such as whinchat and cuckoo migrate from Africa.
Membership
Become a new member or re-new your membership. Secure online card payments now available.
Join our litter picking group
Make a Donation
It’s quick, easy and secure to make a donation of your choice through our website; follow the link.
Discover Ilkley Moor
Your Photos
Ilkley Moor is a wonderful resource accessible to all of us and a place to be enjoyed by visitors and locals alike. Your Ilkley Moor, a place to share your photographs of the moor, and overtime, Tweets and Facebook posts.
Social History
Conservation
Discover The Moor
Ilkley Moor attracts a wide range of visitors with an equally wide range of interests. We have tried to categorise some of these interests below to help understand its rich diversity.
Geology
Archaeology
Walk The Moor
A wonderful place to walk and explore, Heritage walks on Ilkley Moor are available to view and download. Browse each of our Heritage Walks for more details and to download a map and guide in PDF format.
Flora & Fauna
Gallery
Cow & Calf
this walk only takes about an hour and takes you from the popular parking place at the Cow & Calf Rocks to the quieter areas beyond.
White Wells Moorland
This walk takes you from the edge of the town on to the high moor, with wide views across Ilkley and the Wharfe Valley.
Twelve Apostles & Beyond
This walk takes about two and a half hours, starting at White Wells car park. Climbing to the highest point on the Moor, the walk includes areas of archaeological and geological interest.
Cup & Ring Stones GPS Trail
There are over 400 known Cup & Ring Stones on Rombalds Moor which includes Ilkley Moor. The stones were carved during the Neolithic-Bronze Age
Forthcoming Events
Stones and Scones Walk
June 15, 2025
Go on a trail of discovery to see the different stones on the Moor, including the famous Stanza Stones. This is a circular walk of about three miles starting and finishing at the Craiglands Hotel, and will take you on the newly restored lower footpath up to the Cow and Calf Rocks.
Habitat Management and Footpath Maintenance
June 17, 2025
This forms part of our regular volunteer days which include habitat management and footpath maintenance, starting at 10am until 1pm. Gain skills and understanding in upland habitat management and restoration. This event is an informative and practical conservation morning.
Our Sponsors
Latest News
Bradford Pennine Gateway National Nature Reserve
Bradford Pennine Gateway is one of the new King’s Series of National Nature Reserves. It is the first in West Yorkshire. Size and scope: The reserve encompasses 1,274 hectares, with 738 hectares (58%) designated as Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) Habitat...
FoIM Volunteers Conserving Ilkley Moor
The Golden Mattock On Tuesday 18th March about 30 volunteers were up on Heber’s Moss. Planting sphagnum plugs. Although this is the first time for a while that we have had so many volunteers on the Moor at the same time, it seems appropriate to devote a Newsletter to...
Bringing Biodiversity Back to the Tarn
We shall shortly be launching a campaign to try and dissuade the public from feeding ducks on the Tarn. The notices have been printed and as soon as they are in place we shall issue a Press Release to the Ilkley Gazette, Ilkley Chat etc. The notices to be put up have...