Ilkley Rambling and Pilates

When: Friday 16th to Monday 19th January 2026

Where: Myddelton Grange, Ilkley

Who: Helen Venus, Barbara Hamilton and Sarah Brown

Level: Low Moderate and Moderate, plus Pilates for all

What's included: Three days/nights bed, breakfast, packed lunch and dinner, plus two and a half days guided walking. Plus additional Pilates / relaxation sessions.

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The feedback from the group who attended this year's Rambling and Pilates Weekend was amazing; particularly that they loved having something to look forward to in January. There were two fabulous walks on offer each day, with wonderfully relaxing Pilates sessions afterwards to stretch out those muscles.

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So Sarah and I are planning a January 2026 getaway in the lovely market town of Ilkley in Wharfedale. Has anyone been watching the Clare Balding Tales from the Riverbank series? I watched the Wharfe episode last night, and was interested to learn that Ilkley is one of the best places to live. It certainly is very lovely.

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I know the area very well, having lived there for several years, and we have a wide choice of fabulous walks from the door - either along the river bank, or up on the infamous Ilkley Moor across the valley (although not "baht 'at" at this time of year), or the less famous Denton Moor behind the house. If the weather is inclement, there is plenty to enjoy in Ilkley with a lovely array of shops, and of course, a Betty's Tearoom!

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This year's accommodation is definitely a step up from the hostel we used this year - Myddlelton Grange is an impressive former retreat centre, with 22 ensuite bedrooms for single occupancy. There's also an entertainment room, bar, cinema room, chapel, sauna, two hot tubs, and a dedicated gym, perfect for the Pilates sessions.

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Ilkley is only three hours from London on the train, and we would encourage people to travel that way if possible. A shared taxi will be arranged to take you from the station to the accommodation.

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