A Train, a Town and a Bus Re-born! My Fascinating Day Trip to Ilkley.

This week guys we're back in Leeds and taking the train to the end of The Wharfedale Line to Ilkley. We're going to have a quick look around the town as it's somewhere I've never been to before and then it's back down to Leeds but this time, on the X84 bus.

I didn't know this at the time but the X84 was soon to be axed and I don't think it's a very popular decision according to the residents of Ilkley!

*edit: since I made and uploaded this video, i believe the route has been re-instated! Well-done for everyone who made their feelings known and got the decision reversed!

Nevertheless, we'll have a look at the route itself (and the bus) and I'll show you some of the towns and countryside on the way. I'll also tell you how much it's going to cost and whether I preferred the train or the bus (and why).

I hope you enjoy this video and many thanks for watching. It really is appreciated.

Cheers for now.

Mark

#letsmakeatrip #ilkley #thewharfedaleline #northerntrains #firstbus

📖Chapters

00:00 - Introduction
01:17 - Leeds to Ilkley
06:20 - A look around Ilkley
11:59 - Ilkley to Leeds
17:52 - Summary

[carolinecrollick]

It is being reinstated in Feb of next year the X84 bus.

[stephenhope]

Wife and I are visiting from Sacramento, Ca in February, have family in Manchester and Preston. We will defo be coming into Yorkshire for a Bronte sister trip to Howarth and will visit Ilkley. Thanks for that info. Enjoy your trips. I was born and raised in Manchester and immigrated in 1981 toCalifornia. Thanks for that.

[willywonka]

I love watching your videos in my living room from Dublin. I do like the sound of your voice.

[sheilam]

Looks a beautiful place, Mark😊. I like the thought of bandstands still being used👍

[kevinmcanulty]

Thanks. Hope you are feeling better. Great to see these stations still operating post Beeching which you mentioned

[smogontheline]

Loved the video, Mr. Northern Trains, I mean Mark 😂 Hope your health has improved since I last commented. Andy.

[JohnnyHooverTravels]

Ilkley is indeed a lovely place. Great vid as always.

[yyyfffff]

I knew you would mention " ba tat " . I think that song puts it on the map !

[hulme]

I no longer live in the UK but I enjoy your content as a reminder of back home.

[Locknut]

Both the buses and trains used to be more frequent. Both services were 3 per hour weekdays and Saturdays. In it's heyday the X84 had services alternately terminating at Otley, Ilkley and Skipton.

The replacement service, the 25 & 26 are, as you mentioned, much slower, particularly the 25 that goes via Poole in Wharfedale. For that reason it is also no longer a half hourly service, but at 20/40 minute intervals.

Though quiet on Sundays, the buses do get very busy at times, and the change from limited stop is causing people to be left behind at peak times from Leeds as they fill up with people taking shorter journeys.

[dw]

Hi Mark, great to see you visiting my home town of Ilkley, a great place to live and please do return as there’s a pint with your name on it! Best wishes, David

[stogieguy]

Ilkley: yet another place to try and visit on my next UK trip. Thanks for sharing some of these gems with us!

[Ulleskelf]

Nice to see you here! Guiseley was my home station for nearly 20 years. When it was first electrified, we had cascaded slam-door class 308s from that London. The 333s came around 2001-2 and are super for the short runs into and out of Leeds and Bradford Forster Square.

[northern_]

The building you saw on the roundabout at the end by the bus station has a fascinating history, as does the opposite Quarry Hill. Once a petrol station, a failed water feature (permanently turned off by the Council) and a failed sculpture site only enduing up with one statue when it was meant to be surrounded by them. Would highly recommend reading into it! I hope you enjoyed your time in Leeds!

[TravelSignal]

Looks like a nice day out. Thanks for showing us!

[michaelstaley]

Lovely part of the world very enjoyable.. cheers Mark..

[AlsTrainspottingHD]

Another good video I really enjoyed this one. Ilkley is a nice place to visit I went there in August of 2024 and I really liked the look of the place. I was walking parts of the Yorkshire Dales Way path with my mom and it is truly stunning part of the UK.

[TravelJackHT]

Fantastic video Mark a place I haven't been to before either. Those Class 333 are a bit different build by CAF in early 200s similar to the old Heathrow Express trains. Thank you for sharing

[Timstravels]

Both Ilkley and Otley are very pleasant parts of the world. Cracking vid Mr. Northern Trains.

[robertalan]

Thanks Mark, another interesting vlog, some nice towns there, I do hope your on the mend and feeling better buddy 👍