Skipton is often referred to as the gateway to the Dales, with justification. The town is a sizeable one, with a population of some 14,313 at the last census, and has the facilities and amenities that come with that size. There are some excellent shopping and eating places available – the centre is a busy place, with markets four days a week (the first market charter here was granted by King John in 1204), and the waterfront to the Leeds-Liverpool Canal another spot that offers urban comforts and some pretty locations. Geographically Skipton can provide a base for two types of tourism: it is within easy striking distance of Bradford, Leeds and Harrogate, with all of their attractions; and it has the Yorkshire Dales National Park to the north, with Bolton Abbey just a few miles to the east, Malham Cove to the north, and any number of other villages and beauty spots waiting to be discovered. But the town itself has plenty to offer the visitor who prefers the idea of a stroll around town to venturing further afield. Not to be missed is Skipton Castle, built in Norman times to dominate the Aire Valley. The castle is well preserved and open for those who want to get a glimpse of the medieval world, though it was in fact largely rebuilt after the siege of 1643 to 1645, which is well documented for visitors. Impressive historically, the castle is also impressive architecturally and aesthetically, its two enormous round towers seen in many a calendar of British sights. The town has some old coaching inns and plenty of characterful stone structures, and its little ginnels (alleys) draw the eye and fire the imagination. These days the big employer is Skipton’s eponymous building society, but there are still signs of the sheep trade that gave the town its name (Skipton is a corruption of Schap-ton, or sheep-farmstead). When the canal was built in the 1770s Skipton grew in importance as a textile centre, but those days are long gone. Above the town there is the village of Embsay, which is the starting point for the Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway, a good way of seeing some of the local countryside without the need for driving, and Bolton Abbey is a place that definitely merits a journey, though there are a multitude of competing attractions in the district.
Attraction
Bolton Abbey
Broughton Hall
Buffers
Craven Museum
Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway
Parcevall Hall Gardens
Pennine Boat Trips of Skipton
Skipton Castle
Upper Wharfedale Museum
Yorkshire Dales National Park
Budget
Premier Inn Skipton North (Gargrave) *book online*
Travelodge Skipton *book online*
Camping
Caravan Park
Care Home
Gills Top
The Dales Care Home
Thornton Hill
Threshfield Court
Cinema
Classes
Club
Council
Dentist
Belle Vue Dental Practice
Dental Surgery
Estate Agent
Halifax Property Services
Harrison Boothman
Pye James & Son
Wilman & Lodge
Farmers Market
Golf Club
Holiday Park
Inn
Devonshire Arms Country House Hotel & Spa
Gamekeeper's Inn
Plough Inn (The)
The Royal Oak
Market
Re Use It Car Boot
Skipton Market
Performing Arts
Northern Academy of Performing Arts
Pub and Bar
CravenCross Keys Inn
Devonshire Arms Country House Hotel & Spa
Dog & Partridge
Fleece Inn
George Inn
Maypole Inn
Swan Inn
Woolly Sheep Inn
Restaurant
Abbots Harbour
Aeolos
Brody's
Coniston Hall Lodge
Coniston Hotel
Cross Keys Inn
Devonshire Arms Country House Hotel & Spa
Devonshire Fell Hotel
George Inn
La Piazza
Napier's Restaurant with Rooms
Nosh Brasserie @ 25
Number Forty Seven
River House Hotel
Sam Houston's
Swan Inn
Thai House
The Burlington
Waterside (The)
Self-Catering
12 Hall Croft
Fernside Cottage
Solicitor
Taxi
Crown Taxis
Skipton & Craven Taxis
Star Taxis
Station Taxis
Station Taxis
Venue
Coniston Hall Lodge
Devonshire Fell Hotel
River House Hotel
Skipton Castle
Vet
Sports Clubs
Adam Cox Tennis School (Tennis)
Craven LTC (Tennis)
Craven Sailing Club (Sailing)
Shops
Drake & Macefield
Alley Books
Just Books
Poppy Fields
Boots
Town End Farm
Twin Locks Garden Centre
Urban Garden Cente Ltd
Dorothy Perkins
Gargrave Pharmacy
Oculus Opticians Ltd
Helen Midgley
Robert Bunney
Dreamers of Skipton
Shaw Galleries
The Cottage Gallery
Artgarden
Gary Blissett Fine Art
P.J.K Art
Woodware Art Gallery
Yorkshire Crafts
Namaste UK Ltd
The Organix Experience
Wallis
Edinburgh Woollen Mill
Specsavers
62-64 High Street
House of Fraser
Paganum Produce
Rugged Ways
Antiques
R N Myers & Sons
Pinfold Antiques
Activities
Pennine Cruisers Ltd(Boat Trips and Cruises)
Yorkshire Dales Trekking Centre(Riding)
Places to Stay near Skipton
Chinthurst (0.11 miles)
A superb late Victorian building, renovated to a very high standard and furnished in an Edwardian style. Set amidst its own beautiful gardens, with plenty of on-site parking, all this ... More
Boutique25 (0.15 miles)
Welcome to Boutique 25 - Skipton's first contemporary boutique hotel offering exclusive, stylish and luxurious town centre accommodation. Individually designed and contemporary in style, we offer six boutique bedrooms. Each with luxurious features such ... More | visit website
Napier's Restaurant with Rooms (0.20 miles)
Napier's was established in1995 by Ian & julia Ackroyd & is still family owned & run. Our fine bed and breakfast accommodation and renowned restaurant make's Napier's an excellent choice ... More
Highfield House (0.50 miles)
12 Hall Croft (0.51 miles)
A splendid, three-storey townhouse in a quiet cul-de-sac a few minutes walk from the centre of pretty Skipton, the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales. An inviting alternative to more traditional Yorkshire cottages, the accommodation is ... More
Herriots Hotel (0.63 miles)
Herriots Hotel in Skipton, situated at the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales. We provide a unique oasis that combines ambience, location and service for those looking for high standards.
Tastefully decorated accommodation ... More
Travelodge Skipton (1.13 miles)
Located on the A65/A59 this provides easy access to Bradford, Leeds. Harrogate and the Lake District. This Travelodge provides contemporary quality accommodation. Spacious en-suite rooms, television in every room, tea and coffee making facilities, free ... More | visit website
Rendezvous Hotel and Leisure (1.25 miles)
Tarnhouse Hotel (1.43 miles)
Tarn ... More | visit website
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