Skipton is a Town in the county of North Yorkshire.
Skipton, often referred to as the ‘Gateway to the Dales’, is a thriving market town in North Yorkshire, steeped in history and surrounded by some of England’s most beautiful countryside. Dominated by its well-preserved medieval castle, the town has been a key settlement for centuries, with its roots stretching back to the Domesday Book. Skipton Castle, built in 1090, remains one of the best-preserved castles in the country, offering visitors a glimpse into its turbulent past through its sturdy walls, atmospheric dungeons, and stunning views from the battlements.
The town’s historic character is evident in its bustling high street, where independent shops, cosy cafés, and traditional pubs contribute to its welcoming atmosphere. The weekly market, which has been held for over 800 years, brings local traders to the streets, selling everything from fresh produce to handmade crafts. The Leeds and Liverpool Canal runs through Skipton, providing a scenic backdrop to the town and offering boat trips along the waterway, as well as peaceful towpath walks. The canal was once vital for the town’s wool and textile industries, remnants of which can still be seen in the surrounding mill buildings.
Skipton’s location on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales makes it an ideal base for exploring the surrounding landscape, with rolling hills, limestone pavements, and picturesque villages just a short distance away. Bolton Abbey, a short drive from the town, offers a stunning riverside setting with the ruins of a 12th-century priory, while Malham Cove and Gordale Scar provide some of the most dramatic scenery in the Dales. Whether exploring its medieval heritage, enjoying the lively market, or setting off into the countryside, Skipton captures the essence of Yorkshire’s charm and history.
Skipton postcode: BD23 2
There are great places to visit near Skipton including some great waterfalls, ruins, historic monuments, hiking areas, villages, rivers and streams, towns, caves, limestone pavements, mountains, cities, historic buildings, hills, geological features, castles, old mines, country parks, parks, gardens and ancient sites.
Don't miss Catrigg Force, Lockin Garth Force, Whitfield Gill Force, Slape Wath Waterfall, Mill Gill Force, Cotter Force, and Aysgill Force's waterfalls if visiting the area around Skipton.
Bolton Abbey, Byland Abbey, Norton Tower (ruin), Easby Abbey (ruin), Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden, Fountains Abbey (ruin), and Trig Point on Warrendale Knotts are great places to visit near Skipton if you like ruins.
Historic Monuments to visit near Skipton include Bolton Abbey, Rylstone Crag and Rylstone Cross, Culloden Tower, and Robin Hood's Well (Fountains).
The area around Skipton features a number of interesting hiking areas including Deepdale, Cotterdale, Southerscales, Ingleton Waterfalls Trail, Swilla Glen, Baxenghyll Gorge, and Raven Ray.
Skipton's best nearby villages can be found at Pool-in-Wharfedale, Askrigg, Hardraw, West Burton, Bainbridge, Aysgarth, and Malham.
Skipton has some unmissable rivers and streams nearby like Whitfield Beck, Mill Gill, Hardraw Beck, River Wharfe, and Walden Beck at West Burton.
There are a several good towns in the Skipton area like Hawes, Skipton, Grassington, Richmond, Middlesbrough, Harrogate, and Settle.
The area around Skipton features a number of interesting caves including Great Douk Cave, White Scar Cave, Yordas Cave, Gaping Gill, Janet's Cave, Horseshoe Cave, and Jubilee Cave.
The area around Skipton features a number of interesting limestone pavements including Southerscales, Malham Cove, and Warrendale Knotts Limestone Pavement.
There are a number of mountains near to Skipton including Ingleborough.
York, and Ripon are some of Skipton best cities to visit near Skipton.
York Minster, Marton House, Norton Tower (ruin), Church of St Peter - Rylstone, Culloden Tower, and Beggar’s Bridge are great places to visit near Skipton if you like historic buildings.
Skipton's best nearby hills can be found at Addlebrough, Embsay Crag, Rylstone Crag and Rylstone Cross, Warrendale Knotts, Giggleswick Scar, Blua Crags, and Sugar Loaf Hill.
Geological Features to visit near Skipton include Malham Cove, Grassington Lead Mines, and Brimham Rocks.
Skipton Castle, Richmond Castle, and Bolton Castle are some of Skipton best castles to visit near Skipton.
The area around Skipton's best old mines can be found at Grassington Lead Mines.
Country Parks to visit near Skipton include Brimham Rocks.
There are a several good parks in the Skipton area like Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden, Fountains Abbey (ruin), and Studley Royal Water Garden.
There are a number of gardens near to Skipton including Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden.
Schoolboys Tower, Jubilee Cave, and Victoria Cave are great places to visit near Skipton if you like ancient sites.
Skipton History
There are some historic monuments around Skipton:
Places to see near Skipton
History of Skipton
One of the oldest mills in North Yorkshire, High Corn Mill is powered by the waters of Eller Beck, and dates to 1310 when it was owned by Robert de Clifford, 1st Baron de Clifford; at that point it was transferred to the powerful Clifford family by the then King Edward II. The mill as it appears today is only half of what used to exist when two mills were in operation to produce corn for the whole of Skipton. The mill has been completely redesigned, from the mill grounds to the buildings themselves. The outside walls of the mill have been sandblasted and the two main buildings of the old mill have been turned into flats from 2007 onwards, with one stand-alone building yet to be redesigned, touched or Sandblasted.
