1 MAY 2025: This Month’s Events
There are some fantastic events coming up this May, with something for everyone to enjoy! Ilkley Manor House is open for free every weekend from 11am to 4pm—come along and explore.
Firstly, we’re very excited to announce that our Summer 2025 programme is now live! Click here to see it now.
Our big summer exhibition takes place in both the Solar and Western Galleries. Judith Cain – 30 Years On showcases the fantastic artwork of this Yorkshire-born artist, and how it has developed over the past three decades.
On Saturday, 10 May, get ready to dance around the maypole to the tune of the accordion! Join us for this month’s family fun session at 1:30pm to make flower garlands to wear, and then learn how to create patterns with ribbons whilst dancing around the maypole.
On 22 May, spoken word poet Jimmy Livingstone performs at the House. A Genesis Poetry Slam finalist, he portrayed Chris Whitty in This England on Sky Atlantic—though he insists his real-life hair is far superior! Trained at RADA, his career has spanned theatre, animation, and music, earning acclaim as an actor, writer, director, and singer-songwriter before turning to poetry. His work explores the personal, satirical, and political, all wrapped in dark, wicked humour. Expect strong language, adult themes, and sinful laughter. Click here to book now.
Our monthly coffee morning takes place on 30 May at 10:15am. The talk will be given by the president of Ilkley Manor House Trust, Sir Rodney Brooke, who will share the history and his own tales of theatres in Leeds. Be prepared to learn about not only the Playhouse but also the Theatre Royal, City Varieties, Empire Palace and Grand Theatre – together with the famous names who appeared there: Charlie Chaplin, Houdini, Lillie Langtry, Gracie Fields, Vera Lynn, Laurel and Hardy, Morecambe and Wise and many more. Tickets are just £5 and can be purchased by clicking this link or in person at the House.
On 31 May, the Local History Hub is running a guided walk around Mill Ghyll and Darwin Gardens–meet at the Gardens at 2:45pm to start at 3pm. See the Ilkley Civic Society programme of walks and talks here.
Last but certainly not least, the deadline for the Open Call for the Ilkley Manor House Open 2025 is on 30 May, 2025. The exhibition explores the theme of ‘CONNECTION’, building on the success of the Ilkley Arts Open Exhibition 2023. Submissions for this exhibition are FREE! Click here for all information and to submit.
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For information about all our events, visit the What’s On section of our website.
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