About Skipton

Skipton is surrounded by countryside, dramatic moorland in places mellow green hills in others, only adding it's appeal.

As one of the finest English market towns, Skipton has the ability to weave its magic at any time of the year, especially Christmas when a Medieval Yuletide Festival takes place. Shopkeepers and stall holders dress in period costume, there is carol singing, medieval re-enactments, and lots to buy and see and eat. As the winter twilight descends and the Christmas lights come on, the atmosphere is enchanting.

Spring offers the sight of newborn lambs, Summer brings a variety of agricultural shows and events, Autumn provides Skipton with a blanket of golden leaves and scenic landscapes.

Skipton Market takes place on a Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday and is held on the cobbled Market Setts, either side of Skipton's High Street. The market consists of over 50 individual traders selling everything from fruit & vegetables to clothing and household products.

In 1066AD Skipton became the property of the de Romille family, who later built a fortress castle there. The castle still stands today and is open to the public. This is but one of Skipton's many tourist attractions.

With the completion of the Leeds-Liverpool Canal in 1816, Skipton was no longer just a market town but a centre for cloth weaving and commerce. Once used as a means of transporting imports and exports to and from ports of entry and exit, the Leeds-Liverpool Canal now takes on a different role as it caters for day trips along its picturesque waters.

The Skipton Waterway Festival is held every year and is usually a 3 day event attracting boats from the Skipton vicinity, Silsden area, Craven district, Yorkshire region and beyond. As well as thousands of visitors from all over, some say this is a major event in the North of England's calendar and we think all will agree that this is a special occasion which is enjoyed by the local community, boaters and visitors to Skipton alike. Skipton could be called the "Venice of Yorkshire" as it's position on the Leeds-Liverpool canal makes Skipton an ideal location to bring your boat and with many picturesque and tranquil miles of surrounding canal, were confident you'll find the perfect place to moor your vessel (please always follow official guidelines when mooring on a canal-side).

Skipton has much to offer in the form of retail therapy, department stores, boutiques, coffee and tea houses, restaurants, the list goes on. A little known fact is that Skipton was home to Tom Spencer, who was a founder of what has become the Marks & Spencer retail empire. Skipton is perfect for mixing the civilities of shopping and taking afternoon tea in the town with a short jaunt on the surrounding moors.

From Skipton, via Skipton Railway station or road (approx. 27 miles drive), you can visit the cosmopolitan city of Leeds, with its Harvey Nichols flagship store and historic arcades filled with eclectic shops and boutiques. York can also be reach by rail or road (approx. 46 miles drive), with its abundant Viking history, racecourse and National Railway Museum. Harrogate (approx. 23 miles drive) is also within easy reach, where you can still take the waters in the old spa and then take tea at Bettys famous tearoom.

A vibrant nightlife can be enjoyed with Skipton providing an excellent choice of pubs, nightclubs and other social venues. From chic bars and nightclubs to traditional country pubs serving local ales. There is always plenty to see and do in Skipton.

For those who like to get out and about the Skipton area has a superb selection of Dales country walks including, Embsay Crag and Moors, Bolton Abbey, Skipton Moors, Winterburn Reservoir and much more.

Further to the fact that Tom Spencer (co-founder of Marks & Spencer) hails from Skipton, you may find it interesting to know that Sir Charles McMoran Wilson (1st Baron Moran, MC) was also born in Skipton. Sir Charles McMoran Wilson was famous for being Sir Winston Churchill's personal physician. Also known as Lord Moran, Sir Charles served in the Royal Army Medical Corps during the First World War and was awarded the Military Cross in 1916, in 1942 during his impressive medical career he was knighted and later made Baron Moran in 1944. Lord Moran was also author of a book published in 1966 named "Winston Churchill: The Struggle for Survival, 1940-1965". Another famous former resident of Skipton is Iain Macleod, Mr Macleod was appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer in June 1970 by the then Prime Minister Edward Heath, but sadly Iain Macleod died one month later while at home in 11 Downing Street.

If you're looking for a location that is set in beautiful surroundings, full of history and offering almost every service and amenity, then look no further than Skipton.

The Calendar Girls

In 2003 the Skipton area and the Yorkshire Dales had a new claim to fame as the movie "The Calendar Girls" was released. Staring Helen Mirren, Julie Walters, and Jay Leno to name but a few famous faces. The film only generated more interest in a very worth cause.

The wonderful work of the Calendar Girls is dedicated to the memory of John Richard Baker, Assistant National Park Officer for the Yorkshire Dales, who died from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in July 1998 aged 54.

John's wife, Angela Baker and her friends are members of their local WI. At one meeting Angela's friend Tricia Stewart suggested that they should make an alternative nude WI Calendar, in the hope that sales of the calendar would raise money for Leukaemia Research... and the rest is history.

In 2005 "The Girls" were thanked personally by the Prince of Wales for their amazing achievements at a reception at Clarence House.

Their fabulous fundraising work continues with personal appearances, endorsements, speaking engagements, photo shoots and much, much more.

Please help the Calendar Girls continue their excellent work by visiting the official Leukaemia Research website

Embsay

Just over a mile from Skipton is the beautiful village of Embsay; boasting many attributes Embsay offers two traditional country pubs, a selection of guesthouses, a variety of moorland, reservoir and crag walks, sport facilities for Cricket and Football and of course it's very own steam railway.

The Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway gives you the opportunity to travel from one beautiful Yorkshire setting to another, while enjoying the picturesque scenery along the way.

Interestingly Embsay reservoir, completed in 1907, was built on what was the location of the hamlet of Whitfield. Today little remains of Whitfield as the majority of this 'forgotten' hamlet was demolished and now lays beneath approx. 170m gallons of water.

Within the Yorkshire Dale's hidden valleys you'll discover some of the most delightful towns and villages in the whole country and Embsay is definitely among them. Embsays soft gentility and cosiness easily matches that of other villages. Many of the houses, cottages and other property in Embsay look like they've been taken from a chocolate box and the majority are what you might call 'picture perfect'.

Surrounding moorlands and hills provide endless opportunities for walking and mountain-biking, exploration and discovery. A photographers dream would be but one good summary of Embsay, take snap-shots of a steam train on the Embsay-Bolton Abbey line, or a photo of Embsay Crag and moors, or perhaps a few pictures from the top of Embsay Crag as you look down upon the beautiful village below.

Embsay is a must see and we highly recommend visiting this scenic neighbour of Skipton.

Yorkshire

The biggest county in England offers vast variety, from the Bronté moors in the south to the fossil cliffs of the 'Dinosaur Coast' in the north.

There's so much impressive country in Yorkshire that the county enjoys two National Parks – the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors, presenting a stunning contrast between lush green sheep-farming country and the wild untamed moorland.

The Yorkshire region has many claims to fame, such as in June 2005, Royal Ascot took place at York racecourse, the world famous WI Calendar Girls hail from these parts – along with numerous other legends of their individual trades, crafts, skills, knowledge and sports.

The Television and Film industry's have been inspired by Yorkshire with the classic TV series 'All Creatures Great And Small' being set in James Herriot country while also being based on the man himself. The popular 1991 movie 'Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves' starring Kevin Costner, Morgan Freeman, Christian Slater and Alan Rickman, filmed in many Yorkshire locations such as Aysgarth Falls (where Robin Hood fights Little John) and Hardraw Force (where Maid Marion sees Robin Hood swimming). Also the 1997 film 'Fairy Tale: A True Story' staring Harvey Keitel and Peter O'Toole, which was based on 'the Cottingley Fairies' a story of photographs - taken by Elsie Wright and Frances Griffiths in 1917 - depicting supposed fairies. Filming locations for this movie include the village of Cottingley and Keighley Railway Station.

The TV soap 'Emmerdale' is always a TV viewer's favourite and although the storylines of the programme aren't always true to Yorkshire life – and at sometimes a bit far fetched (yet entertaining) its scenic Yorkshire backdrop and setting will never be compromised.

So many famous faces, popular stories and beautiful landmarks are associated with Yorkshire that there are simply to many to write down, so you'll have to come and visit this captivating county and see, hear and appreciate them for yourself.