Sutton-in-Craven is a Village in the county of North Yorkshire.
Sutton-in-Craven is a village and civil parish located in the Aire Valley in North Yorkshire, England, between Skipton and Keighley. It lies within a natural valley at the foot of the Pennine hills and had a population of around 3,700 according to the 2011 census.
The history of Sutton-in-Craven dates back before 1086 when it was recorded in the Domesday Book as “Sutun.” Over time, the village was known by different names, including Sutton-in-Ayrdale during the 14th century, before settling on Sutton-in-Craven in the early 17th century. Originally, the village was part of the ancient parish of Kildwick, but in 1869 it became a separate ecclesiastical district with its own church, which was consecrated in December of that year.
The village is set within a scenic landscape, surrounded on three sides by hills that rise to about 1,000 feet. Sutton Beck, a small watercourse, runs through the village and joins the River Aire near Kildwick. The geography provides a rural feel and offers access to countryside walks and views.
Historically, Sutton-in-Craven’s economy was based on livestock farming, but during the Industrial Revolution it shifted toward the textile industry. Greenroyd Mill, opened in 1815, was one of the area’s first cotton mills. The Bairstow family were prominent figures in the local woollen industry from the mid-19th century until 1970.
There are several notable landmarks in and around the village. Sutton Clough, once part of the Sutton Hall Estate, is now a natural public space offering woodland walks. Lund’s Tower and Wainman’s Pinnacle, two 19th-century stone towers on Earl Crag, are visible from much of the surrounding area and are nicknamed the “Salt and Pepper Pots” by locals. Craven House on High Street is the village’s oldest building, dating from the late 16th or early 17th century.
Today, Sutton-in-Craven maintains a strong community spirit. It has schools, churches, playing fields, and regular community events, making it a lively and welcoming place to live. The village offers a blend of historical charm, rural beauty, and modern amenities.
Sutton-in-Craven postcode: BD20 7LP
There are great places to visit near Sutton-in-Craven 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.
The area around Sutton-in-Craven features a number of interesting waterfalls including Catrigg Force, Lockin Garth Force, Whitfield Gill Force, Slape Wath Waterfall, Mill Gill Force, Cotter Force, and Aysgill Force.
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 some of Sutton-in-Craven best ruins to visit near Sutton-in-Craven.
The area around Sutton-in-Craven boasts some of the best historic monuments including Bolton Abbey, Rylstone Crag and Rylstone Cross, Culloden Tower, and Robin Hood's Well (Fountains).
The area around Sutton-in-Craven features a number of interesting hiking areas including Deepdale, Cotterdale, Southerscales, Ingleton Waterfalls Trail, Swilla Glen, Baxenghyll Gorge, and Raven Ray.
Sutton-in-Craven has some unmissable villages nearby like Pool-in-Wharfedale, Askrigg, Hardraw, West Burton, Bainbridge, Aysgarth, and Malham.
There are a several good rivers and streams in the Sutton-in-Craven area like Whitfield Beck, Mill Gill, Hardraw Beck, River Wharfe, and Walden Beck at West Burton.
Hawes, Skipton, Grassington, Richmond, Middlesbrough, Harrogate, and Settle are some of Sutton-in-Craven best towns to visit near Sutton-in-Craven.
Sutton-in-Craven has some unmissable caves nearby like Great Douk Cave, White Scar Cave, Yordas Cave, Gaping Gill, Janet's Cave, Horseshoe Cave, and Jubilee Cave.
Limestone Pavements to visit near Sutton-in-Craven include Southerscales, Malham Cove, and Warrendale Knotts Limestone Pavement.
The area around Sutton-in-Craven's best mountains can be found at Ingleborough.
The area around Sutton-in-Craven boasts some of the best cities including York, and Ripon.
Sutton-in-Craven has some unmissable historic buildings nearby like York Minster, Marton House, Norton Tower (ruin), Church of St Peter - Rylstone, Culloden Tower, and Beggar’s Bridge.
The area around Sutton-in-Craven features a number of interesting hills including Addlebrough, Embsay Crag, Rylstone Crag and Rylstone Cross, Warrendale Knotts, Giggleswick Scar, Blua Crags, and Sugar Loaf Hill.
There are a several good geological features in the Sutton-in-Craven area like Malham Cove, Grassington Lead Mines, and Brimham Rocks.
Sutton-in-Craven's best nearby castles can be found at Skipton Castle, Richmond Castle, and Bolton Castle.
Grassington Lead Mines is a great place to visit close to Sutton-in-Craven if you like old mines.
Don't miss Brimham Rocks's country parks if visiting the area around Sutton-in-Craven.
There are a several good parks in the Sutton-in-Craven area like Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden, Fountains Abbey (ruin), and Studley Royal Water Garden.
Gardens to visit near Sutton-in-Craven include Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden.
Schoolboys Tower, Jubilee Cave, and Victoria Cave are great places to visit near Sutton-in-Craven if you like ancient sites.
Sutton-in-Craven History
There are some historic monuments around Sutton-in-Craven:
