A Full Guide to the Best Things to do in Skipton, North Yorkshire
We love discovering the best places in the UK, and Skipton did not disappoint. Our guide will dive into the best things to do in Skipton, a pretty and fun market town in North Yorkshire (God’s own country). There are many great Skipton attractions, including the market, one of the best mediaeval castles, independent shopping and a food haven. You can easily spend a lot of time here.
The name Skipton has nothing to do with skipping. It refers to “Sheep Town” and is a reference to its past and trading wool and sheep. Skipton continues to celebrate its history by hosting Skipton Sheep Day. It is an annual event held that takes place in July. Sheep racing, shearing shows and everything related to sheep are held and draw people from far away.
It is also known as the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales National Park, which means you can visit some of the most incredible scenery nearby. We particularly love Malham Cove, Gordale Scar, Janet’s Foss and the Ribblehead Viaduct.
Therefore, our post describes what to do in Skipton town centre and what you can do nearby. There are also numerous places to eat and drink. So whether you’re visiting for the day or a staycation, you will fall in love with Skipton.
How to get to Skipton
Car: if you drive, it is roughly 50-minutes from Leeds via A65 and A660 and 35-minutes from Bradford via via A629.
You can park in the Bailey Car Park, a short walk into the town centre. It costs £4.50 for all-day parking (Saturdays £3.50).
Train: you can arrive at Skipton’s Victorian railway station from Leeds, Morecambe, Carlisle and Bradford.
Tourist Information Centre
From Monday to Saturday, you can head to the Town Hall to get up-to-date information about what else you can do in Skipton and get information from a friendly face that can help you plan your visit.
It is open 9:30am- 4:30pm!
When is the best time to visit Skipton?
We recommend visiting on a Skipton market day, so you can feel the buzz of the town but avoid school holidays (if you can). Several events run throughout the year. Some of the best ones are:
Sheep Day – for a sheep show, sheep shearing, demonstrations and dancing.
Santa Fun Run – get on your best Santa outfit and head to the streets of Skipton.
Yarn Dale – at the Mart Theatre, you can see a 2-day event in September that hosts some of the best crochet, spinning and knitting talent!
11 Things to do in Skipton Town
Skipton is a compact town, and You can enjoy our list of the best things to do in Skipton town without a car! You can go on foot once you are in Skipton.
Craven Court
Craven Court (Skipton’s only shopping centre) is a must-visit your trip to Skipton. It is a beautiful Victorian shopping arcade. It is inside and is an all-day- all-year-round location with 28 stores. Some are independent, and some are more prominent names.
Did you know? There are still the original stone walls which offer a classic background to your unforgettable shopping experience.
It is one of the best Skipton attractions and should not be missed! There is also a tea room on the top floor. Check it out!
Good to know: Skipton is full of independent shops; some are hidden down alleys, you could spend ages checking them out, and we recommend it!
Holy Trinity Church
Holy Trinity Church is Medieval in its origin and is listed as part of the National Heritage List for England as it is a Grade I listed building. The first church built on this site was possibly in the 12th Century. However, some of the present structures originate from the 1300s.
Visiting the church is one of the best things to do in Skipton, as Skipton will welcome you, and you can learn about its history in the Civil War and with the Clifford family. The gardens are also lovely, and you can relax on a bench whilst admiring the church from outside!
Visit Skipton Castle
At nearly 900 years old, Skipton Castle is one of the largest and most well-preserved castles from the mediaeval era in England and is worth visiting at any time throughout the year. It is probably number one on most people’s lists of things to do in Skipton.
Visitors can discover every inch of this stunning castle with a rich history that was able to withstand an attack for three years in the Civil War. First, view the Banqueting Hall, the Kitchen, the Bedchamber and the Privy. Then, climb from the bottom of the Dungeon to the highest level on The WatchTower.
When you visit, you will get a handy leaflet that will teach you about the different features of the castle! It is difficult to come to Skipton and not see the castle. Enjoy!
Visit Craven Museum
Craven Museum & Gallery is impressive and exhibits archaeology, social history, costume, and art. It is easily one of the best things to do in Skipton despite its small size.
It is the location for the Skipton Shakespeare First Folio, one of the four First Folios on permanent display worldwide. The exhibit also tells the tales of people living in the Dales and mining for the lead industry.
Skipton Market
In 1204, a Charter was approved to allow the weekly market to trade wool and sheep products.
Today, the Skipton Castle owner holds the Market Charter, which grants permission to conduct the market four days per week. Skipton Market is an outdoor market that operates on Monday, Thursday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday during the year on Skipton High Street. The regular hours of a trading run from 9 am until 4.30 pm.
On cobbled streets, the centuries-old traditional market operates throughout the year with various stalls that sell fresh goods, clothes and more. Market Days provide everything for everyone. Set in both directions of the High Street, you will indeed find something you like.
Skipton Boat Trip
Undeniably, one of the best things to do in Skipton goes on a relaxing boat trip on a canal cruise on the Leeds and Liverpool canal. You can head through the rural Yorkshire Dales with a friendly crew.
There are so many options: you can be your own skipper, have an afternoon tea, or a lunch. Funnily enough, there is even a fish and chip cruise or a roast dinner cruise – if you want a genuinely British experience!
They also have Christmas events. You can find out more information on their website: Skipton Boat Trips.
Walk along the Canal
It’s still possible to stroll along the watercourses that drove the mills. A relic of the Leeds to Liverpool Canal was built, named Springs Canal, that carried stone and timber. The water from Eller Beck was used to drive a sawmill and the corn mill.
The longest canal in the United Kingdom (the Leeds and Liverpool Canal) traverses the middle of Skipton. It’s a beautiful chance for those who like to stroll in the afternoon. You can begin your walk in the town and continue to the loading wharves of Skipton Castle.
Skipton Castle Woods
The hidden gem is behind one of Britain’s most giant mediaeval castles. The woodland trust’s Skipton Castle Woods is a rare, ancient woodland ecosystem that’s just away from the main street.
The park’s fascinating history has been going on for more than a thousand years. Spectacular display of the seasons, stunning wildlife, and the leading site, Skipton Castle Woods, is an absolute must-see and one of the best things to do in Skipton.
The woods are home to various species of wildlife, including badgers and deer, at least 28 bird species and butterflies and five species of bats!
You can enter from the Bailey Entrance to reach the upper woods or go on a canal-side walk to the woodland’s main entrance!
Visit the Historical Pubs
Skipton has many beautiful pubs, some of which have a long history and are old. We recommend visiting and having a pint in the Black Horse Hotel. It is a 17th-century coach house with a cosy bar (fireplace) and a restaurant. Without a doubt, at any time of the year enjoying one of Yorkshire’s pubs is one of the best things to do in Skipton.
Aireville Park
Aireville Park consists of 20 acres of land. It was once located in the Dewhurst family and was part of the Aireville Estate. The park is one of the best Skipton attractions.
It is an excellent area that can be used for multi-use various sports with an 18-hole pitch and putt golf course, a fitness centre, a pool and a great children’s playground.The wooden playground with a zip line makes the park one of the best things to do in Skipton for families.
The Waterwheel House at High Corn Mill
Waterwheel House is Skipton’s latest tourist attraction. Visitors can look at the specially-commissioned water turbine and how it assists in generating a portion of the town’s power supply through the nation’s grid, supplying enough power to support up to 20 houses.
The mill turbine will create a carbon-neutral complex, which is the central feature of High Corn Mill’s Waterwheel House. Its specially-designed viewing areas allow visitors to view the equipment used for processing the corn and a second waterwheel that visitors can spin with a pulley that discharges water from the mill’s reservoir.
The Waterwheel House is open and free to visit for all. It is one of the best free things to do in Skipton!
6 Things to do near Skipton
If you have a car, you can easily access these things to do near Skipton. From trains, to national parks and gardens. There is plenty to see and do!
Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway
The Embsay to Bolton Abbey Steam Railway is a must-stop for visitors to Skipton. (Start from Embsay, which is only 10 minutes from Skipton). It is a great place to take an excursion on a vintage steam train. Historians and enthusiasts of locomotives will love it.
The tempting smell and sounds of the exquisitely preserved Victorian or Edwardian carriages offer visitors an unbeatable experience of Yorkshire’s famous countryside.
To make it a memorable occasion, they serve Cream Tea, Afternoon tea, Ploughman’s Lunch, or an a la carte Breakfast while you cruise through the Yorkshire Dales. In the summer and the autumn months, dinner meals are offered, including Chips and Fish and Chips to curry!
Please check current prices and events on the Embsay & Bolton Steam Railway website.
Kilnsey Park
Just a short drive from Skipton is the great family-friendly attraction of Kilnsey Park.
The centre offers a variety of activities for children to participate in and a variety of events each month. It could be hiking and fishing, pony riding or animal petting, or searching for a rare orchid!
Parcevall Hall Gardens
Thirty minutes from Skipton is this magnificent 24 acres park known for its breathtaking natural beauty. The gardens were established in 1927 by Sir William Milner and are now taken care of through the Historic Houses Association.
Be aware that even though the gardens are on the property, Pecevall Hall is not open to visitors; however, there are plenty of things to do at Parcevall Hall Gardens as you walk among the most delicate plants and trees. Gorgeous!
Bolton Abbey
Bolton Abbey is named after the remains of the 12th-century Augustinian monastery, now called Bolton Priory. The priory, which was closed following the Dissolution of the Monasteries, was ordered by Henry VIII. Today you can visit the estate, which has several miles of all-weather walking trails.
It’s a stunning estate which sits perfectly in the natural landscape of the Yorkshire Dales. As well as the numerous walking trails, innumerable attractions appeal to people of all different ages. It is a place with a long and rich heritage, and the remains of the old monastery remain in the estate.
Thornton Hall Farm Country Park
Thornton Hall Farm Country Park is close to Skipton. The working farm has incredible animal encounters (inside and outside) and fantastic play areas for children. However, it is a great place to go for people of all ages.
For example, in their Secret Garden, they run nighttime entertainment, with food, DJs, and dancing in a large Ti-pi! Very cool.
Visit the Yorkshire Dales National Park
As you know, Skipton is the gateway to the Dales, which means if you can, you should head and see the beauty for yourself. It is a great area to explore! From peaceful dales, wild moors and natural wonders.
You can see the impressive Malham Cove waterfalls, such as Janet’s Foss and Gordale Scar. Or you can take on the challenging yet rewarding Yorkshire Three Peaks. If you do not want to walk, go on the Settle to Carlisle railway over Ribblehead Viaduct, go mountain biking, or go to a brewery. You can always use Skipton as your base and get the best of both worlds. It is a beautiful spot!
There you have it, the best things to do in Skipton and nearby. We loved it so much that it has topped our list of where we would like to live in the future. But, for now, we will enjoy visiting and wandering the cobbled streets!
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Photo Credits: averagelives.com
