What to do in Ilkley?

Some of my girls and I have recently booked to spend another weekend holed up in a cabin in the Yorkshire countryside this summer.

You might have read that we did the same thing last year, and it was idyllic.

I mean, it rained the whole time, but that kind of made it more fun… Nothing could ruin the view over the wildflower meadow, a few glasses of fizz made hot tubbing on the terrace in drizzle a lot more bearable and there were few things more funny last year than six highly educated women trying to light a disposable barbecue. Let’s just say, we had to employ bingo cards and Ann Summers mouse mats.

Last year we stayed at Keldy Forest, near Pickering and this year we’re going to Faweather Grange, not far from Ilkley.

We’ll probably spend at least a day in the town, so I’m looking for your help on what to see and do.

Toast House – spotted recently on blog powerhouse Remodelista – looks to me like a tea-and-cake-break must. I noticed the eclectic décor first: white walls under industrial modern and vintage objects. But the food sounds great too, with all dishes made on the premises behind a recycled wood counter. As their name suggests, toast is the main ingredient but the combinations sound anything but dull. Start with toast and toppings like mackerel pâté and sweet onion marmalade and brie, before going on to the desserts, including banoffee pie on toast and brioche with homemade ice cream.

Remodelista’s blog post took me to Kickcan and Conkers, a blog written by Deb, a lovely “Yorkshire lass” living in the south of France. (I know, I’m riddled with envy too). She recommends the cappucino, salt caramel flapjacks, winter carrot cake, and courgette and coconut cake.

Then a few days ago, Jen instagrammed that it was the most gorgeous café she’s ever been in.

// images via Toast House, Remodelista, Kickcan and Conkers //

It’s not hard to see why Toast House is so unique and popular. The owners are Natasha Byers and Lisa Jenkins. Lisa has a background in textile design and her grandparents used to have a flour mill in Germany, where much of the décor comes from. In fact, many of the items dotted around the café came from family members. Natasha describes herself as a magpie, whose mother owned an antiques business. Before the café, she worked with deaf and autistic children, then owned a pretty special ice cream van.

After Toast House, I am sure there will still be room for a fat rascal from Betty’s and I’d also like to call in to Coco to have a look at their lovely handbags and accessories.

Where else should we go?