12 Best Things to do in Skipton, Yorkshire

Skipton is a beautiful market town located in North Yorkshire, England. Its immense culture, history and independent shops make it a great place for a short getaway. 

Something that I really love about these small towns is the fact that you find everything in one place, generally in the town centre.

However, you’ll also discover that Skipton is surrounded by other incredible attractions and places like the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Before visiting it, I asked myself, “What is there to do in Skipton?” As I had only heard of its castle before, and I didn’t see many activities or things to do on TripAdvisor and other websites.

Regardless, I decided to go on a day trip to Skipton, and I must admit it surprised me.

So, let’s dive into the best things to do in Skipton.

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Things to do in Skipton town centre

1. Visit Skipton Castle

Skipton Castle is one of my favourite castles in North Yorkshire. The castle is well preserved and accessible as it’s just a stone’s throw from the town centre. 

Although you need to pay an entry fee, it’s completely worth it because the castle has many rooms to wander around, and it’s truly beautiful.

As you enter, you’ll see the main part of the castle, which takes you to a small patio. From there, you can start your tour anywhere, but I found it easier to walk from the left side to the right side of the castle.

You can explore the Banqueting Hall, the Kitchen, the Bedchamber and the Privy, and last but not least, you can climb from the Dungeon to the top floor of the Watch Tower.

Some rooms are pretty empty, but you can still imagine how life was inside, especially when you get to the kitchen. However, something that I recommend you do is to keep an eye on the windows if you love getting a view – you can see the castle woods as well as another perspective of the castle.

Not only is the castle a great place to explore, but to have some food too. You can stop by the cafe or enjoy your packed lunch in the green area next to St. John’s Chapel.

2. Walk on Skipton Castle Woods

Straight off the high street, Skipton Castle Woods is a great place to connect with nature and exercise. 

There’s no right or wrong on where to start your walk, but depending on how difficult you want your walk to be, you must choose between River Valley Route (easy), Upper Paths Extension (medium) and Earl of Thanet Trail (difficult). 

I love walking from the canal to Skipton Castle Woods as it’s a very relaxing and picturesque walk. But on every walk, you have the chance to spot wildlife – from squirrels climbing in the trees and little birds singing to deer.

In addition to this, you’ll find two pieces of natural sculpture – The Spirit of the Medieval Huntress and The Stalking Horse, which became very famous thanks to social media.

3. Explore Leeds and Liverpool Canal

4. Go to Skipton Market

If you love supporting local and independent businesses, there’s no better place than Skipton Market. This outdoor market happens three days a week (Wednesday, Friday and Saturday) in the town centre, where stalls are set up along each side of the High Street.

Here, you’ll find anything from different types of local cheese and fresh vegetables to beautiful handmade crafts and clothes.

Interestingly, this market has been operating since medieval times, thanks to a Royal Charter from King John that granted consent to the lord of Skipton Castle to hold a fair in the High Street.

In the past, the market was mainly a place for trading animals, and this explains why the town is called Skipton (it means “Sheep Town”).

5. Check out Craven Museum & Gallery

If you love museums or you want to do something in Skipton on a rainy day, you can check out Craven Museum and Gallery located in Skipton Town Hall.

The museum was founded in 1928 by local collectors, and as you can imagine, there are plenty of interesting objects inside. 

In January 2018, the council was given a National Lottery grant to carry out the Stories & Treasures of Street & Dale project to redevelop the museum. Over these three years, the museum has been restructured and packed with over 6,000 objects!

6. Shop at Craven Court Shopping Centre

Craven Court Shopping Centre, located just off the town centre, is a unique shopping centre. Before transforming into a shopping centre, this building was a beautiful 16th-century theatre.

The court has over 25 shops, from well-known brands to small quaint independent shops and cafes, to enjoy a light bite or a hot drink. 

It’s a great place to buy something unique and different from high street retailers.

7. Visit High Corn Mill 

High Corn Mill is a hidden gem in Skipton because not many people don’t know about it. I almost missed it during my visit.

Set along the beautiful Leeds Liverpool canal, the mill is a historical building that has become an office complex and retail space. Inside, you can find incredible independent local shops and businesses. 

8. Experience Sheep Day

If you’re up for attending a traditional event, you must check out Sheep Day, Skipton’s annual celebration, which is held in late June. On this day, you can expect lots of sheep-related activities, from sheep dancing to racing.

It’s a fantastic event for all ages, especially kids!

Things to do near Skipton

9. Spend the day at Bolton Abbey

Not very far from Skipton, Bolton Abbey is the perfect day out in Yorkshire. The abbey is located in the middle of the beautiful countryside, where you can walk over 80 miles of footpaths.

The best thing to do is to explore and contemplate the Priory Church and its ruins near the stunning riverside.

However, there are plenty of outdoor activities for all ages; you can challenge yourself to walk through the stepping stones, take pictures of the fantastic wildlife, find the impressive Laund Oak over 600 years old, and much more.

10. Relax at Kilnsey Park

19 minutes drive from Skipton, inside the Yorkshire Dales, you’ll find Kilnsey Park. It’s ideal for a day trip as there are activities for all ages – fishing, visiting the friendly alpacas on the farm, riding through the hills and valleys or stopping by Café by the Lake to try their famous pink fish and chips.

Although you must pay different fees for each activity, it’s definitely worth visiting.

11. Visit Parcevall Hall Gardens

Parcevall Hall Gardens is a hidden gem at the heart of Wharfedale in the Yorkshire Dales and only a 25-minute drive from Skipton.

Inside the garden, there are plants from all over the world – including the Himalayas – and there’s nothing better than a walk in the woodlands and surroundings. 

Although the gardens are open to all visitors, The Hall isn’t as it’s used by the Diocese of West Yorkshire and The Dales as a retreat house.

It’s also interesting to hear that its idyllic location has become a popular spot for TV and film companies, so British BBC programmes like “Escape to the Country” have been featured in Parcevall Hall Gardens.

12. Discover the lovely village of Haworth

Haworth is a small but charming village that is very well-known for being home to the Brontë Parsonage Museum, which commemorates the Brontë Sisters Charlotte, Emily, and Anne, who were locals.

Apart from visiting this must-see museum, you’ll also want to check out Haworth’s Main Street, Central Park and St Michael and All Angels’ Church.

Visiting Haworth won’t take you more than half a day, so you can visit another nearby town as well.

Where to eat in Skipton

• Le Caveau. This bistro is one of the best in Skipton. Although food prices are more expensive than in other pubs or restaurants, it’s worth the money. They serve a variety of dishes, ranging from scallops and lamb to vegetarian options. Their lunch and evening set menu has plenty of choices and works out cheaper.

Where to stay in Skipton

There are plenty of accommodations in Skipton to choose from; however, this is my top choice of the best places to stay near Skipton town centre:

The Woolly Sheep Inn

Located only 10 minutes from the historical Skipton Castle and a range of independent shops, The Woolly Sheep Inn is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to stay central and loves trying the local food.

The hotel offers 12 lovely rooms with all the amenities you need. Each room is equipped with comfortable bedding and pillows, an ensuite bathroom with complimentary toiletries, a flat-screen TV, and coffee and tea facilities. 

The food at The Wolly Sheep Inn is exceptional! They offer a menu featuring mouth-watering dishes crafted with local produce. Here, you’ll enjoy anything from traditional fish and chips to steak pie and delicious sticky toffee pudding. 

Frequently asked questions about things to do in Skipton, Yorkshire

So, is Skipton worth visiting?

Yes, Skipton is worth a visit, and it’s truly a lovely place for a day trip or a short stay.

Also, staying in Skipton gives you a chance to explore other beautiful nearby towns like Ilkley, Grassington and Haworth, as well as the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

If you have questions about things to do in Skipton, leave them in the comments below.

Safe adventures!

Cristina xx

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Top things to check before visiting Skipton

• Coming from outside the UK? Book cheap flights to the UK with Skyscanner.
• Get your train tickets with Omio.
• Book the best accommodation for you with Booking.com
• Discover incredible activities you can do in Northern England in this guide.
• Book travel insurance for your trip; this is a must for any trip!

Read more about other lovely towns in Yorkshire

• Things to Do in Knaresborough
• The Best Things to Do in Saltaire
• Great Things to Do in Harrogate in a Day
• 11 Best Things to Do in Halifax, England

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