A major part of Ilkley’s history has been restored as the town prepares to welcome its first fountain in more than half a century. The new sculpture, inspired by the local landscape, will be officially unveiled by gardener and broadcaster Alan Titchmarsh on 30 April.
The original Ilkley Fountain, built in the 1860s, was a Victorian gravity-fed structure removed in the 1960s due to disrepair and vandalism. After six decades, it has now been reimagined by local charity Improving Ilkley, which launched a public design competition and raised funds for the new installation.
The winning design, created by Ilkley artists Juliet and Jamie Gutch, takes inspiration from sphagnum moss, a plant commonly found on Ilkley Moor. The sculpture has been brought to life by artist blacksmith James Wilkinson, who crafted the 1.5-metre structure from steel. Galvanized by Metaltreat Galvanizers, the finished piece is built to withstand constant exposure to water, with an etched surface that creates a tonal finish resembling the plant’s form.
The new fountain is gravity-fed, using water from Mill Ghyll that will return to the ghyll and continue towards the River Wharfe. It weighs just over a ton and stands as a modern nod to the town’s heritage.
Ahead of the unveiling, local volunteers have planted bulbs around the site, and steel plates featuring the names of donors will be placed around the base to acknowledge the community support behind the project.
Improving Ilkley hopes the fountain will once again become a focal point for both residents and visitors, celebrating the town’s past while offering something new for future generations.
