A market town in the Craven district of North Yorkshire, Skipton is the gateway to the beautiful Yorkshire Dales and offers visitors to the area a variety of things to do and places to explore on a spa break.
Amongst the things its famous for are its 900 year old castle, a romantic ruined priory, and its historic cobbled High Street. Heritage and natural beauty are very much at the forefront of a visit to Skipton.
So, to elaborate - of the top attractions, Skipton Castle is a favourite. Built in 1090 by a Norman baron, it later came into the possession of the Clifford family, who are famous in Skipton, with their name peppered across the town. Other historic favourites include the Craven Museum, where you will find Shakespeare’s first folios, and the waterwheel at High Corn Mill, which dates to 1310.
Skipton Market is a lot of fun to head to. With no fixed stalls, it’s first come, first served for traders in the morning, which means there’s always the chance to discover something different. That’s in addition to lots of enchanting local shops to explore on the high street and at Craven Court. Skipton’s position on the Leeds-Liverpool canal also makes for charming waterside strolls or even the odd boat trip.
Yorkshire has lots of independent breweries, so another favourite pastime in the area is sampling local beers. There are plenty of pubs for a pint and good pub grub, although if tea is more your thing, then the various tea shops also serve up that other Yorkshire classic - an excellent cuppa.
A trip to Skipton is only enhanced by staying at a spa hotel. Amongst the favourites is the exquisite Nàdarra Spa, a luxury, modern retreat surrounded by rolling countryside and a 24 acre lake. The Devonshire Arms Hotel and Spa is also charming, a country escape with a dreamy boutique spa housed in an ancient barn.
