The town is also known as the Gateway to the Dales because Skipton is ideally placed to explore all that the beautiful Dales have to offer and with York, the Lake District and west coast all within easy reach, you can enjoy both history and outstanding natural beauty.
Skipton bridge and canal
This attractive market town has much to offer from the lively market square leading to its buzzing ancient cobbled high street. It is dominated by independent specialist shops, cafés, tearooms, restaurants, butchers, grocers, delis, bakers and pretty buildings leading to the 900-year-old medieval castle and romantic priory ruins. It’s no wonder that the high street has been voted the best shopping spot in Britain and the town itself named as the best place to live in Britain by The Times in recent years.
The Copper Dragon Brewery is highly rated in the CAMRA listings, and there are plenty of cosy traditional coaching inns and pubs from which to try some of their ales. Alongside the watering holes are cinema The Plaza, the Town Hall and the Little Theatre, all renowned for their interesting programme of events and screenings.
Skipton Castle is the main attraction for fans of historic places of interest. The fort is one of the most complete medieval castles in England. Surviving 900 years of turbulent history and besieged for three years during the English Civil War, it became the last Royalist stronghold in the north of England. The yew tree in the courtyard is said to have been planted by Lady Anne Clifford in the 1600s.
“The yew tree in the courtyard of Skipton Castle is said to have been planted by Lady Anne Clifford…”
If you like boats, take a trip along the Liverpool Leeds Shipping Canal on a long boat. The canal is the country’s longest at 127 miles. It cuts through areas of old industry and countryside habitats typical of the Yorkshire counties. Traces of Skipton’s active industrial past can be found during a day out to High Corn Mill. It’s now been fully restored to provide a shopping mall.
We have some lovely cottages in and around Skipton. Please visit our collection to feel inspired.