Clock Tower, Menston, Ilkley, LS29

Guiseley & Rawdon Area Guide

WHAT’S GREAT ABOUT GUISELEY?

In a nutshell

The bustling town of Guiseley is a popular residential area, with a vast leisure and retail offering, that’s flanked by stunning countryside. It’s approximately 10 miles from Leeds city centre and less than eight miles from both Bradford and Ilkley. The town benefits from excellent road, rail and bus links to neighbouring areas and has a huge choice of homes that appeal to all age groups and demographics.

Housing stock

There’s something for everyone from traditional terraces through to rural farms and barn conversions. Guiseley is also home to the highly renowned Tranmere Park development, which has been one of the town’s most desirable addresses for more than 80 years, with its quiet tree lined streets, that all offer spacious family homes.

In recent years, both national and regional new homes developers have succumbed to Guiseley’s charms and invested heavily in creating high-quality developments and purpose-built retirement complexes. These include the multi-award-winning transformation of the former High Royds Hospital into hundreds of smart new apartments and family homes set in 200 acres of parkland complete with bridleways, ponds, tennis courts and sports pitches.

Surrounding towns and villages

Rawdon, Menston and Yeadon, as well as the more rural villages of Esholt, Hawksworth and Carlton are all popular neighbours to Guiseley with their own charms and features. Another local spot that is now very popular with homebuyers is Apperley Bridge following the opening of its train station in 2015, which has led to an influx of new development and interest.

Schools

There’s an abundance of quality primary schools and several reputable secondary schools to choose from. These include Guiseley School, which is currently benefitting from a multi-million pound rebuild, Benton Park at Rawdon, which is planning a £20m construction programme and Menston’s outstanding rated Catholic Voluntary Academy, St. Mary's.

Transport links

The A65 runs straight through Guiseley into Leeds city centre, with Ilkley and Skipton in the opposite direction. Guiseley railway station has regular services into Leeds, Bradford and Ilkley and Leeds Bradford International Airport is just a 10-minute drive away.

Shopping

Where to begin! There really is something for everyone from prominent independents through to lots of high street retailers including Next, Argos, Halfords, Currys PC World, TK Maxx, Pets at Home - the list goes on. In addition, when it comes to grocery shopping, there’s Morrisons, Aldi and Marks & Spencer Simply Food.

Eating and drinking

There are traditional pubs, gastropubs and longstanding restaurants serving all types of international food and lots of smart bars to choose from including The Hawkhill, Coopers, Everybodys and The Potting Shed.

Leisure time

Highlights include taking in a show at Guiseley Theatre or burning off excess energy at Aireborough Leisure Centre’s swimming pool, gym, squash courts and climbing wall.

Alternatively, put your walking boots on and head up to the famous Chevin Forest Park or spend an afternoon exploring Esholt Woods.

Football fans can support Guiseley AFC, there’s regular cricket played at Guiseley Cricket Club and there are two of Yorkshire’s best golf courses to choose from at Hollins Hall and Bradford Golf Club.

Guiseley’s claim to fame

Although Guiseley is landlocked, it’s the birthplace of the world’s most famous fish and chip brand. In 1928, Harry Ramsden started selling fish and chips, from a small wooden shed, and within three years he’d expanded and built what he described as a ‘palace’ next door. He based the new restaurant, which had fine oak panelling and chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, on the Ritz Hotel in London. The restaurant became the biggest fish and chip shop in the world, with seating for 250 diners and it was awarded a Guinness world record for its efforts.

It's since been taken over by The Wetherby Whaler, but still serves delicious fish and chips and captures lots of the magic that made the original restaurant so special.

Guiseley’s best kept secret

Anyone feeling energetic can walk up from Guiseley to Hawksworth’s ‘Odda’, a high peak offering amazing, far reaching panoramic views across to Ilkley Moor, The Chevin and over the newly developed High Royds Hospital and its famous clock tower. It’s a beautifully quiet spot to enjoy some downtime and maybe even a picnic.