Accredited since: 2014

A vibrant Burley Summer Festival held during the last week in August hosts multiple activities and events including a large number and variety of guided walks provided by Walkers are Welcome. Another village highlight is the Christmas Market and lights switch on held at the end of November. Sun Lane Local Nature Reserve on the west side of the village, once the villages refuse tip, is now one of only three LNRs in Bradford Metropolitan District. The reserve is managed by the village’s Wildlife Group, and is a riot of colour in the summer months with over 400 plants recorded here, as well as a number of species of butterflies, birds and moths.
Burley has excellent footpath access to beautiful countryside in all directions, including Burley Moor to the south and Ilkley Moor to the west. To the east is the Chevin Forest Park overlooking the historic market town of Otley. Access to the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to the north is currently via stepping stones across the River Wharfe at Leatherbank, although plans have now been approved for a suspension footbridge. The proposed Greenway cycling and walking route would link Burley, Menston, Otley and Pool with Ilkley and the Dales Way and cycling routes into the Yorkshire Dales. The Ebor Way and Millennium Way passes close by at Burley Woodhead, as does the Dales Way link from Bradford. The 36 mile circular Welcome Way, developed by the four neighbouring Walkers are Welcome groups, passes through the centre of the village, as does the 42 mile Yorkshire Heritage Way. This links Bradford and Ripon Cathedrals and passes two of Yorkshire’s World Heritage sites of Saltaire and Fountains Abbey. The village has a range of refreshment opportunities, including pubs, shops and cafes mostly situated along the Main Street.