Ilkley Manor House is gearing up for a vibrant Spring season, with a packed line-up of exhibitions, photography workshops, live music, talks, and family-friendly activities.
The Manor House reopens on Saturday 28 February 2026, after the winter break, with two new exhibitions launching on opening day:
Ilkley Hydros - exploring the origins and impact of Ilkley’s hydros through photographs and stories. Local historian Alex Cockshot will deliver short introductory talks on this exhibition on 28 February and 8 March.
Nature of Daylight - a group exhibition by Solar Gallery Artists, celebrating the lengthening days through painting, sculpture, collage, jewellery, textiles, ceramics and more.
Julia Richards, Joint-Chair of Trustees, said:
“We’re delighted to welcome visitors back from 28 February with a programme combining heritage, creativity and community. It offers something for everyone, from exhibitions and talks to workshops and live music.”
Alongside the Spring reopening, the Manor House is also preparing for essential roof restoration works, funded by Bradford Council. This investment will help strengthen and future-proof the building, improving its resilience so it can continue to welcome visitors, artists and communities for generations to come.
Roger Tilbrook, Joint-Chair of Trustees and a retired Chartered Building Surveyor monitoring the project on behalf of the Trust said:
“We know many people have been following updates about the roof, so we want to reassure visitors that our Spring reopening on 28 February is going ahead as planned. The Council-funded repairs are an important step in making the building more resilient for the long term. Whether we can keep the house open for the duration of the work will depend upon Health & Safety risk assessments. We will keep everyone updated as decisions are made.”
The Spring season also features a photography-led programme developed in collaboration with photoILKLEY- Ilkley’s first photography festival - including ‘Becoming Bradford: Activists of our Times’ by Nathan McGill, an emerging photographer and writer based in Bradford.
To mark International Women’s Day, the Manor House will host an engaging, interactive talk on 6 March with author, storyteller and actor Irene Lofthouse, celebrating the long legacy of Bradford women as pioneers and activists.
In April, the Manor House will welcome back Redbrick Artists with an exhibition of new work exploring connections with the natural world—vibrant landscapes and botanicals in styles ranging from realism to abstraction, each with stories to tell. In May, the programme will culminate in the third edition of the Ilkley Manor House Spring Fair.
As always, visitors will also be able to enjoy the Manor House’s regular coffee mornings. Spring themes include a session linked to Ilkley Hydros Exhibition, followed by a coffee morning focusing on Samuel Cunliffe Lister.
Live performances this season include Scottish singer-songwriter Simon Kempston in March, followed in April by a double bill featuring English acoustic guitar virtuoso Chris Newman and legendary Irish harpist Máire Ní Chathasaigh—internationally celebrated icons of Celtic folk music.
Andreea Chitan, Events Coordinator and Programme Lead, added:
“This season is about stories. Of place, of people, and of making. We’re excited to share new work, support learning, and create welcoming spaces where audiences can connect.”
For all information about upcoming events and how to book, please visit ilkleymanorhouse.org
A printed copy of the programme will also be available at the Manor House once reopening begins, and can be picked up locally from Ilkley Library and the Visitor Information Centre. Listings and updates will also appear in local What’s On guides.
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