Why visit Skipton
Townapedia lists 13 museums and landmarks, 7 parks and trails, 117 places to eat, 9 places to stay and 12 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include Plaza Cinema, Robertshaws, Craven Museum and Skipton Castle.
Weather in Skipton
Forecast from MET Norway (CC BY 4.0). Full forecast
About Skipton
Skipton (also known as Skipton-in-Craven) is a market town and civil parish in the modern ceremonial county of North Yorkshire, England. Historically located in the East Division of Staincliffe Wapentake of the West Riding of Yorkshire, Skipton lies generally south of the Yorkshire Dales and is situated on both the River Aire and the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. The town is located 27 miles (43 km) north-west of Leeds and 38 miles (61 km) west of York. In the 2021 Census, the population was recorded as being 15,042.
From the Wikipedia article Skipton (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Travel tips from other travellers: Skipton on Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Photos of Skipton
Things to do12
Museums and landmarks13
Skipton Castle
Museum
Grade I listed historic house museum in Skipton, North Yorkshire, England, UK
1 more on the map.
Parks, trails and playgrounds7
Aireville Park
Park · 0.5 mi
Park in Skipton, North Yorkshire, England
Restaurants and cafes117
Caffè Nero
Cafe · Coffee Shop
40-42 Sheep Street, Skipton
Mo-Fr 07:00-18:00; Sa 07:30-18:00; Su 08:00-18:00
Bay Horse
Bar and pub · 1.5 mi
Skipton Road, Keighley
Mo-We 11:30-22:00; Th-Sa 11:30-23:00; Su 11:30-22:00
Costa
Cafe · Coffee Shop
14-16 Sheep Street, Skipton
Mo-Fr 07:00-17:30; Sa 07:30-17:30; Su 08:30-17:00
Starbucks
Cafe · Coffee Shop
1 Jerry Croft, Skipton
Mo-Fr 07:00-18:00; Sa 07:30-18:00; Su 09:00-17:00; PH 09:00-17:00
105 more on the map.
History
Evidence for prehistoric habitation in the Skipton area includes an "important outlying group" of cup and ring marked rocks on Skipton Moor, to the south-east of the town, and in the same area there is an enclosed Iron Age hilltop settlement.
Skipton is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. The town was important during the English Civil War, and was the site of prisoner-of-war camps during the First and Second World Wars.
Skipton Castle was built in 1090 as a wooden motte-and-bailey by Robert de Romille, a Norman baron. In the 12th century William le Gros strengthened it with a stone keep to repel attacks from the Kingdom of Scotland to the north, the castle elevated Skipton from a poor dependent village to a burgh administered by a reeve. The protection offered by Skipton Castle during the Middle Ages encouraged the urbanisation of the surrounding area, and during times of war and disorder the town attracted an influx of families. It is now one of the most complete and best preserved medieval castles in England and is open to the public.
One of the oldest mills in North Yorkshire, High Corn Mill, is powered by the waters of Eller Beck. The mill 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.
Read more of the history
Skipton became a prosperous market town, trading sheep and woollen goods. A market stemming from its formative years still survives. In the 19th century, Skipton emerged as a small mill town connected to the major cities by the Leeds and Liverpool Canal and its branch Thanet Canal, (known locally as 'Springs branch canal').
During the 20th century Skipton's economy shifted to tourism, aided by its historic architecture and proximity to the Yorkshire Dales. Skipton was the seat of Craven District Council from 1974 until April 2023. The Skipton Building Society was founded in the town.
Skipton is twinned with the Bavarian town of Simbach and Erquinghem-Lys in France.
From the History section of Skipton on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
More about Skipton
Economy
The town is known as the 'Gateway to the Dales', because of its close proximity to the Yorkshire Dales. As Skipton is the nearest and largest town to a significant area of the Dales, it attracts numerous visitors, particularly on market days (Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday). Owing to the town's many independent shops and national chains, Skipton has received praise for its enduring individuality and character. In 2008, the Academy of Urbanism voted High Street the best shopping spot in Britain. The wide high street once hosted the sheep market, but now a general market is held there, while livestock is auctioned at the Auction Mart on the western edge of the town.
The town is home to a number of hotels, holiday companies, cottage holiday firms and independent holiday lets. The town is the base for several recruitment agencies, environmental and engineering consultancies and financial and legal services. Skipton is a popular commuter town, with direct trains to Leeds, Bradford and London.
One of the town's larger employers is Skipton Building Society, with its subsidiary companies.
Chocolatier Whitakers, based in the town, was established in 1889 in nearby Cross Hills. Ida Whitaker began making chocolates there in 1903, taught by the wife of the vicar of Kildwick.
Arts and culture
In 2014, The Sunday Times judged Skipton as the 'best place to live' in Britain. In 2017, an annual study of the nation's happiness and wellbeing by the ONS found Craven – which includes the town of Skipton – reported the highest levels of happiness and life satisfaction and the lowest levels of anxiety among residents. In 2018, the town was again listed in The Sunday Times, in their report on the 'Best Places to Live' in northern England. Additionally, the town was twice listed in the UK's top ten happiest places to live in Rightmove's 'Happy at Home Index' in 2020 and 2023. In 2024, the town was again judged by The Sunday Times as one of the best places to live in the UK.
Events in Skipton include the annual heritage event 'Skipton Sheep Day' which takes place on the first Sunday in July and celebrates the town's association with sheep. The event takes place on the high street and features a petting zoo, educational shows and a variety of food and drink stalls.
Education
As well as The Skipton Academy (ages 11–16), there are two single-sex grammar schools: Ermysted's Grammar School for boys and Skipton Girls' High School (SGHS). Both schools are selective by entrance exam and have obtained comparable high A-Level scores. On the basis of the 2009 A level results, Ermysted's performed 13th best in the UK and SGHS was rated 42nd but, in 2011, it was rated at number 44.
From the Wikipedia article Skipton, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Notable people from Skipton
Henry SidgwickEnglish philosopher (1838–1900)Photo: Elliott & Fry, Public domain
Cat FergusonBritish cyclistPhoto: Timferg237, CC BY-SA 4.0
Blake MorrisonPoet and author (born 1950)Photo: Victuallers, CC BY-SA 3.0
Glen ChappleEnglish cricketer (born 1974)Photo: University of Salford Press Office, CC BY 2.0
Charles Wilson, 1st Baron MoranBritish doctor (1882-1977)Photo: Unknown author Unknown author, CC BY 4.0
Ruzwana BashirBritish businesswomanPhoto: Christopher Michel, CC BY 2.0
Paul ZenonEnglish magicianPhoto: Paul Zenon, CC BY-SA 3.0- Iain MacleodBritish politician, cabinet minister and contract bridge player (1913-1970)
- George ThorntonEnglish born Test and County cricketer (1867-1939)
- Thomas Spencerone of the two co-founders of the retail chain Marks & Spencer (1852-1905)
- Dave HillBritish actor
- James WhitakerEnglish Test and County cricketer (born 1962)
Born in Skipton, according to Wikidata (CC0). Each name links to its Wikipedia article.
Where to stay9
Churches and places of worship17
Jame Masjid & Madrassa Salafia
Place of worship · Sunni · 0.6 mi
23-25 Midland Street, Skipton
Shopping41
Gas and EV charging2
Schools, colleges and libraries12
Healthcare5
Map of Skipton
235 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Getting there and nearby towns
Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 16 miles away.
- Burnley 14 mi southwest, about 23 min by car
- Bradford 16 mi southeast, about 25 min by car
- Todmorden 17 mi south, about 28 min by car
- Leeds 22 mi southeast, about 36 min by car
- Huddersfield 24 mi southeast, about 38 min by car
- Blackburn 24 mi southwest, about 39 min by car
- Wetherby 26 mi east, about 41 min by car
- Oldham 29 mi south, about 47 min by car
- Wakefield 29 mi southeast, about 46 min by car
- Preston 31 mi southwest, about 50 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Towns near Skipton
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
Keep exploring
Local news
Headlines from INDB.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- GeoNames (CC BY 4.0): population, coordinates, regions and time zone
- Mapillary (see each image): photos
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- Canal in Skipton 02, Immanuel Giel, Public domain
- Otley Street Skipton, JD554, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Foyer landscape, JHillCDC, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Skipton Castle dg2, Davegill70, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Main church of Skipton 01, Unknown author, Public domain
- Church St Andrew's Church, Methodist & United Reformed, Skipton (27186088417), Mark Stevenson, CC BY 2.0
- St Mary the Virgin Embsay, Nthep, CC BY-SA 4.0
- The Chapel (1), Gpwitteveen, CC BY-SA 3.0
- St Mary in Carleton 02, Immanuel Giel, Public domain
- The Plaza Cinema, Gpwitteveen, CC BY-SA 3.0
- St Stephen's Church Skipton 02, Immanuel Giel, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Skipton Castle dg8, Davegill70, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Skipton Golf Club, Ric1980, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Cock and Bottle, Only By Land, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Quaker Meeting House, Skipton, Peter James, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Red Lion Skipton, Only By Land, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Royal Shepherd Public House, Simon Cobb, CC0
- Black Horse Skipton, Only By Land, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Ermysted's Grammar School 14, Immanuel Giel, CC0
- Plaza Cinema, Skipton, Alexander P Kapp, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Cononley Church, Tim Green, CC BY 2.0
- 62-66 sheep street, Onlybyland, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Robertshaws, Skipton, 24 December 2025, Mike Lidgley, CC0
- View from Park Hill, Skipton (15773092471), Tim Green from Bradford, CC BY 2.0
- Street-level photo, ljasq, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, ljasq, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, tallguy, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, tallguy, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, tallguy, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, tallguy, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, ljasq, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, tallguy, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, ljasq, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, tallguy, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, tallguy, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, southglos, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, tallguy, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, tallguy, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, ljasq, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, tallguy, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, ljasq, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, tallguy, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, tallguy, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, tallguy, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, tallguy, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, jethro10, CC BY-SA 4.0
.jpg){kind=link}
Page built November 10, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us or suggest a place.