Skipton North Yorkshire: the perfect day-trip destination for foodies, shoppers, and culture lovers

Nestled on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, Skipton is an historic market town which can trace its roots back over 1000 years of incredible history. Yet it’s also bang up-to-date, and made The Times list of the best places to live in the UK just a few years ago.

Here are six reasons to make sure Skipton, the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales, is your first-choice destination for your next day off.

Legendary food and drink

Skipton has a mouth-watering hospitality sector and many of the restaurants and bars are truly independent; each offers its own take on a day or night out to remember.

Whether you fancy deliciously cooked, locally sourced delights like Yorkshire lamb, a taste of the Med, French fine dining, spicy tacos or wholesome pub grub, there’s plenty to choose from.

And the fine collection of pubs and bars offer a choice of the perfect place to watch the footie with a few craft beers, enjoy bottomless brunches or boozy catch-ups with friends or family, or take time out for romantic get-togethers.

Shop till you drop

Have you ever gone on a city break and been disappointed the second you get off the train, as you find a High Street packed with the same brands you have at home? Visit the historic market town of Skipton and you get two unique and equally enticing offerings for the price of one.

The market is on four days a week – Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; browse stalls packed with local produce, offering a real flavour of rural Yorkshire. Make sure you take home some delicious cheese, pies and a few bargains!

From there, a meander through the shops shows just why Skipton has earned a reputation for independent, imaginative retail outlets packed with one-off items – find something that little bit different as a birthday or wedding gift, or even as your own payday treat.

To be, or not to be (culture vultures) – that is the question

And the answer has to be yes! A visit to the Craven Museum is a must on any day trip to Skipton. It holds an original Shakespeare First Folio, printed in 1623 and one of only 235 which have survived; it’s one of only four on display anywhere in the world.

That’s not the only draw … gaze in wonder at the Roman amethyst intaglio, the artefacts from Egypt, the Elizabethan coins, rare birds eggs, costume dresses, art works and more.

And don’t forget the theatres and galleries … expect the unexpected, as they say, as local theatre and touring productions offer up a varied programme all year round.

Nine centuries in the making

England is rightly proud of its heritage and history, and finding a preserved Medieval castle is a rare gem. Skipton Castle, which was originally begun 900 years ago, is one of the finest and most complete examples in the country. Don’t miss the magnificent banqueting hall, the impressive towers built to fight off invaders, and revel in a history peppered with rampaging Scots, civil wars and the colourful history of the Clifford family. It’s fantastic for kids who will love exploring the castle – and finding out how people lived centuries ago.

The great outdoors

No visit to rural Yorkshire is complete without breathing in the air and making the most of the glorious vistas. Skipton is more than the sum of its parts – every element offers something that little bit different. If you love walking, but simply want to work off the lunch you’ve just enjoyed, then a stroll along the Aire Valley towpath, or wonder along the Liverpool and Leeds canal. The canal is a perfect spot for canoeing too.

Feeling a little more energetic? Wander out to the dozens of delightful villages and moors surrounding Skipton on foot or by bike, to enjoy a picturesque route packed with delights. You can even base yourself in Skipton – with all its culinary and cultural delights by night – and explore the Dales by day.

Transport links

Drive to Skipton and there’s plenty of parking available and electric charging points. Let the train take the strain and it’s just 40 minutes from Leeds or Bradford, with bus routes from around the county.

Ready to find out more? Visit www.welcometoskipton.com to plan your trip and follow the hashtag #VisitSkipton or Welcome To Skipton on Facebook and instagram.