Although I’m Yorkshire-born and bred, I don’t remember ever visiting Skipton in North Yorkshire. It was great, therefore, to spend several days on a campsite just outside the town as the first stop on our five-week trip around northern England and Scotland. Read on for my take on the best things to do in Skipton.
In this article
The History of Skipton
The town’s history stretches back more than a millennium. Skipton means ‘sheep town’. It was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. The town’s castle was first built in wood in 1090. In the 12th century, William le Gros strengthened it with a stone keep to repel attacks from Scotland. This elevated Skipton from a poor dependent village to an important town.
During medieval times, families from the surrounding countryside settled in Skipton. The town’s population and importance grew. The first mills were built. Skipton became a wealthy market town trading mainly in sheep and woollen goods. The market which began then still survives today. Market days in town are the busiest, attracting tourists and locals alike.
In the 19th century, Skipton was an important mill town connected to the major trading cities by the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. As the industry declined, the town successfully switched its economy to tourism, exploiting its attractive historic architecture and its proximity to the stunning Yorkshire Dales National Park.
Skipton Today
Today, Skipton is a thriving market town. It regularly tops polls of the best places to live in Britain. Known as ‘the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales’, tourists arrive from all over the UK and Europe to explore this area of outstanding natural beauty. There is a lot to detain them – a magnificent medieval castle, a romantic ruined priory, a historic cobbled High Street, access to the Leeds Liverpool canal, plenty of lovely places to stay, a plethora of pubs and restaurants, and, of course, friendly locals. Many of the town’s attractions are linked by the Millennium Walk route, making them easy to navigate.
When you first arrive in the town, it’s a good idea to visit the Skipton Information and Visitor Centre located at 35 Coach Street. The helpful staff will give you loads of local tips. You should also check out the Welcome to Skipton website.
The Best Things to do in Skipton
Visit Skipton Castle
Opening Times
Every day from 10am to 4pm.
Entrance Fees
Adults: £8.70
Children (5-17): £5.50
Children under 5: free
Over 60s and students: £7.70
Family Ticket for two adults and up to 3 children over 5: £28.50
The admission charge includes a free tour sheet in a choice of ten languages to ensure you don’t miss anything on your self-guided visit.
At the moment, entrance is by online booking only. Check out the castle’s website for up-to-date information.
Skipton Castle and the Clifford Family
Edward II gave Skipton Castle to Robert Clifford in 1310, at the same time as he appointed him Lord Clifford of Skipton and Guardian of Craven, a large area of countryside to the north and west of the town. Robert began heavily fortifying the castle. Unfortunately, he was killed at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314 before the work was finished.
The castle was passed down through many generations of Cliffords. In the late 16th century, it came into the possession of George Clifford, 3rd Earl of Cumberland who was Queen Elizabeth I’s champion. When he died in 1605, he left all of his estates, including Skipton Castle, to his brother Francis because he felt he was better placed to manage them than his only surviving child, 15-year-old Lady Anne Clifford.
Supported by her mother, Lady Margaret, Anne pursued her uncle through the courts in order to get her rightful inheritance. She failed, but when Francis died, Anne finally gained ownership of Skipton Castle and all of her father’s properties. She supported the King’s cause during the Civil War and withstood a three-year siege at the castle. Anne was a remarkable woman. She carried out extensive post-war restoration work on her castles. She died in 1676 at the age of 86. She had no children so she was the last Clifford to own Skipton Castle.
Today, the splendid tombs of Lady Anne and her parents can be seen in Skipton Parish Church. The Clifford banner flies over the castle with the approval of the present Lord Clifford of Chudleigh.
Our Visit to Skipton Castle
Today, historic Skipton Castle is one of the most complete and best-preserved medieval castles in England. Armed with our information sheet and following the very well-signposted route, it was a pleasure to walk around the castle. With detailed information boards in each room, we gained a real understanding of what life in the castle was like at different periods in its history.
We entered the castle grounds through an impressive gatehouse topped with the French word ‘desormais’, meaning ‘henceforth’. This was an addition made to the castle by Lady Anne Clifford. Once, through the archway, we got to see the full splendour of the castle. It was a real ‘wow’ moment!
The original bridge over the moat and portcullis used to access the castle itself are no longer there, but we could clearly see where they were. The door we passed through to reach the inner courtyard is the same one used for the past 800 years. It was good to pause and listen to the voices of history before we explored the banqueting hall, the kitchens and bedchambers used by the lords and ladies of the Clifford family. We descended some very uneven stone steps to see the dungeons and climbed to the top of the watchtower to understand why the castle was situated where it is.
Outside of the castle, there are well-laid out grounds and gardens to enjoy as well as a gift shop and a café.
Take a Boat Trip on the Leeds Liverpool Canal
One of the best things to do in Skipton is to take a boat trip on the canal. What could be better than pootling along watching the glorious Yorkshire countryside pass by the window?
At 127 miles long, the Leeds-Liverpool Canal is the longest in the UK. It was opened in 1816 and was originally used for transporting raw materials and finished products between the manufacturing powerhouses of northern England and the commercial centres and ports. Now that its industrial heyday is over, the canal is used by pleasure boaters.
Skipton Boat Trips is a family-run company which organises a variety of canal trips including short guided tours, fine-dining cruises, whisky tastings, Santa excursions and a whole load more. The business is currently operated by James and Jennifer Watson, the third generation of the family to be involved. They pride themselves on their fantastic customer service. Check out their website.
We did James and Jennifer’s afternoon tea cruise. It was superb! From the moment we boarded, we were well looked after. We were on The Dalesman which has a full bar service so we were able to order a drink before we were served our tea. The meal consisted of a selection of sandwiches, a scone with butter, jam and cream, and several petit-fours including carrot cake, macarons, and chocolate brownies. It came with unlimited tea or coffee. The price was £20 each which we thought was excellent value for two hours of relaxing cruising.
Explore Craven Museum
Opening Times
Monday to Saturday 9.30am – 4.30pm
Entrance Fees
Entrance is FREE for everyone!
Skipton’s Craven Museum was founded in 1927 and named after the old name for the geographical area we now know as North Yorkshire. It was originally located in a room above Skipton Library, but the collection soon outgrew that space. Over the years, the museum expanded into more rooms. In 1973, the museum was moved to its current home in Skipton Town Hall.
The collection now comprises a treasure trove of around 60,000 objects representing millions of years of Craven history. The museum offers a fascinating insight into the lives of local people and is well worth a visit. I was particularly interested in the Dewhurst Cotton Mill Collection. Dewhurst was the producer of Sylko, a sewing cotton made in over 500 colours and sold throughout the world. Sylko was my Mum’s sewing thread of choice. Seeing so many reels of it in one place immediately took me back to my childhood!
Walk through Skipton Castle Woods
It is well worth exploring Skipton Castle Woods if you have the time while you’re in town. The woods are in a river valley adjacent to Skipton Castle. There are upper and lower paths covering just over two miles. Three different routes have been laid out (easy, moderate, and strenuous). You can pick up a leaflet in the Visitor Centre to help you decide.
Whichever trail you choose, once you enter the woods, you will feel like you’re miles from anywhere rather than a stone’s throw from a busy town. Look out for the resident herons and kingfishers, especially around the ‘Kingfisher Highway’ between the Springs Canal and Eller Beck. You might also see buzzards, sparrowhawks, and red kites, and it’s not unusual to hear green or great spotted woodpeckers. Seeing them, though, is less likely!
Let Off Steam in Aireville Park
Aireville Park is a large open space with sporting facilities and play areas in the heart of Skipton. It dates back to the 1830s when it was created by Henry Allcock as part of the Aireville Estate.
If you are travelling with children or dogs (or both!), it’s the perfect place to go and get some exercise. There are several playgrounds, a bicycle track, a wheel park for BMX, skateboards, and rollerblades, a treetop high ropes course, football pitches, tennis courts, netball and basketball courts, a 14-hole pitch and putt course, and a café which serves a range of drinks, ice creams, snacks and meals.
The park is also the venue for the weekly Skipton park run which starts at 9am every Saturday morning if you feel like joining in!
Check Out Freddie Trueman’s Statue
I often say that I was brought up on cricket! Being from Yorkshire, it was impossible not to be aware of the sport, but it was my maternal grandad who made sure it was a huge part of my life. He was an umpire and an avid fan. He took me to matches and introduced me to one of his heroes, Freddie Trueman, one of cricket’s greatest fast bowlers.
There is a bronze statue of the great man next to the canal in Skipton. He lived in the town for many years. The statue, created by sculptor Graham Ibbeson, was unveiled by Freddie’s widow Veronica in 2010, four years after his death. It shows him in full flow. Although the statue has been widely acclaimed, I’m sorry to say it bears little resemblance to the man I remember.
Go Shopping
As well as the fabulous street market, Skipton boasts lots of opportunities for shopping lovers.
Look down from the top of Skipton High Street and you are seeing a previous winner of Britain’s Best Street of the Year. It has a diverse selection of independent shops offering clothes, homeware, specialist foods, and souvenirs.
Craven Court is Skipton’s Victorian-themed shopping arcade. It has been praised by Prince Charles for its architecture. The beautifully painted ironwork and stunning clear glass roof make for a unique and enchanting shopping experience. As well as some popular High Street names, you’ll also find more unusual shops selling everything from German woodcraft to silver jewellery.
Surrounding the High Street and Victorian covered arcade, Skipton town centre is made up of a myriad of narrow side streets and alleys that are home to more shopping treasures. There are lots of interesting independent outlets and bijou boutiques.
Rest a While in Holy Trinity Church
Holy Trinity Church at the top of the High Street in Skipton dates from around 1300. It was damaged during the English Civil War but was repaired by Lady Anne Clifford of Skipton Castle in the 1650s.
Today, Holy Trinity is still very much in use as Skipton’s parish church. The gardens in front of the church are nicely laid out. There are several benches conveniently placed under the shade of ancient trees where you can pause a while during your exploration of the town.
Stroll Along the Towpath of the Leeds Liverpool Canal
Even if you don’t go on a boat trip, you can still enjoy Skipton’s canal. One of the best things to do is to head out of the centre of town along the canal towpath. You can go in either direction – towards Liverpool or towards Leeds. You will see historic mile markers along the way and lots of activity in the canal basin itself. From organised pleasure trips to working barges, to brightly painted houseboats with their roofs covered in pots of flowers, there is plenty to see. It’s a photographer’s dream! Look out for flocks of water birds. You’ll also see hapless holidaymakers who have hired a barge and are trying to negotiate the intricacies of a swing bridge or a lock for the first time!
Hike Lady Anne’s Way
If you have the time and you’re feeling energetic, Skipton Castle is the starting point for the 100-mile Lady Anne’s Way. The route passes through some of Britain’s most stunning scenery before finishing in Penrith.
The path was inspired by Lady Anne Clifford, an indomitable lady who owned vast estates in the old county of Westmorland during the seventeenth century. Lady Anne travelled repeatedly between her castles and the route takes in these once magnificent buildings, many now sadly in ruins.
Although originally devised and written as a six-day walk, there is now a nine-day alternative. This enables you to take things at a more leisurely pace and allows more time to visit places of interest en route. Check out the website for full details.
We haven’t done this – yet! It’s on our bucket list!!
Spend the Day at Bolton Abbey
A visit to Bolton Abbey is one of the best things to do if you’re staying in Skipton. It’s located in Wharfedale, just 15 minutes by car from the town centre.
Bolton Abbey Estate and village take their names from the ruins of the 12th-century Augustinian monastery known as Bolton Priory. It was founded in 1154 and thrived for the next 400 years until it was destroyed during the ‘Dissolution of the Monasteries’ ordered by Henry VIII.
Today, the atmospheric ruins, along with 30,000 acres of beautiful countryside and over 80 miles of footpaths, are a great place to walk and explore. The estate has been managed by the Devonshire family since 1755. It remains the Yorkshire seat of the 12th Duke of Devonshire. He is responsible for the introduction of visitor facilities such as a tearoom and children’s play area.
It costs £10 to park your car for the day at Bolton Abbey. No other charges apply.
Bolton Abbey Steam Railway
Why not extend your day at Bolton Abbey with a ride on the heritage railway? You will find all the details here.
Where we Stayed
Because we are travelling in Bertha, our campervan, we didn’t stay in Skipton itself. Instead, we stayed on the Riverside Campsite in the village of Cononley just a few miles from the town. It’s a lovely rural campsite. The grass pitches have electric hook-ups and the shower facilities are good.
There is a pub, a well-stocked shop, and a Chinese takeaway in the village and some lovely walks in the surrounding countryside. The best thing about Cononley, though, is that it has a train station less than ten minutes on foot from the campsite. Trains run every 20 minutes to Skipton in one direction and to Bradford and Leeds in the other. The journey to Skipton takes just eight minutes. It is so convenient. We will definitely stay there again when we are next in the area.
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Very well written and very informative. I write my own little travel blog and often about Skipton too as this is where I live. I like to support local business too.
I wrote my own post about things to see and do in Skipton too but not quite as detailed as yours lol.
My blog is https://getoutandbout.com
Kind regards
Hi Christine – thank you for taking the time to comment. We loved our time in Skipton and, having read your blog, it looks like we need to come back to try the Chocolate Works!
Next time you are in Skipton, you must try Bizzie Lizzie’s. Best fish and chips ever!!
Thanks for the tip!