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a Historic Market Town in the county of North Yorkshire

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About Skipton

This lovely old market town is enclosed by fantastic scenery in all directions. Long considered "The Gateway to the Dales" which lye to the north, moors extend southwards, and the tranquil countryside of the Ribble Valley is to the west. It's other abiding features are the Leeds and Liverpool Canal which meanders lazily through the town, the historic Holy Trinity Church of which parts date to the 12th century and at the top of the main street stands Skipton's 900 year old castle.

Historically, a community of sheep farmers settled in the town during the 7th century and in 1066 the town was granted to the de Romille family, it was then that Robert de Romille built the original castle, but only the gateway of this remains. The present castle dates to the time the Clifford's took possession in the 14th century, the last Clifford to own it was Lady Anne who died in 1676.

Late in the 11th century a market began, this flourished with traders coming in from other parts. Local fairs took place and Skipton was eventually in 1204, Skipton was granted its market charter by King John. Thus the town grew up around the castle, church and market place, areas which continue to busily bustle to this day.

Holy Trinity Church was extensively restored by Lady Anne Clifford and has several Clifford family tombs. It has an impressive font from the 12th century, with a magnificent Jacobean cover in the form of a spire, and an early 16th century screen.

The canal did not arrive in the town until 1770, by this time Skipton was already a famous centre for the wool trade and the canal helped to further expand its cloth making trade. The advent of the railway brought further growth as other industries settled, but caused the canal to decline.

These days Skipton is an attractive resort town, with lots of pleasant places to see, including the castle which is one of the most complete and well preserved in the country. The building which has massive round towers to either side of the gatehouse, is rich in history. Lawns and cobbles inside the walls enhance the main building, and its shaded courts add an air of tranquillity.

The canal, once plied by industrial barges is now a place for pleasure as more and more people seek to spend their leisure time messing around in boats. There are pleasant tow paths to stroll and waterside pubs where you can tarry, enjoying watching gaily painted narrow boats and the wildlife of the canal. One of the nicest ways to see this town is by joining an organised boat trip which will take you through the town and on into the countryside beyond.

Skipton offers excellent shopping, its colourful market takes place 4 days a week, there is a busy High Street and Craven Court Shopping Centre has a diverse range of retail outlets. Visitors to the town will find plenty of pubs, restaurants and cafe's, and should you decide to stay to sample the ambience of this pretty town, there is an excellent range of hotels, bed and breakfasts, and friendly guest houses.

Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.

Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Skipton

Skipton Castle	(0.1 miles, 0.2 km)	Pictures
Bolton Priory	(5.6 miles, 9.0 km, direction E)	Pictures
Upper Wharfedale	(6.8 miles, 10.9 km, direction N)	Pictures
Cliffe Castle Museum	(7.2 miles, 11.6 km, direction SE)	Pictures
East Riddlesden Hall	(8.1 miles, 13.1 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Wycoller Hall	(8.7 miles, 14.0 km, direction SW)	Pictures
Wycoller Country Park	(8.8 miles, 14.2 km, direction SW)	Pictures
Janet's Foss	(8.9 miles, 14.3 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Gordale Scar	(8.9 miles, 14.4 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Cow and Calf Rocks	(9.1 miles, 14.7 km, direction E)	Pictures
Malham Cove	(9.7 miles, 15.6 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Malham Tarn & Moor	(11.1 miles, 17.9 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Settle Carlisle Railway	(13.0 miles, 21.0 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Nidderdale Museum	(13.4 miles, 21.5 km, direction NE)	Pictures
Sawley Abbey	(13.6 miles, 21.9 km, direction W)	Pictures

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Recommended towns near Skipton

Bolton Abbey, in the county of North Yorkshire (5.3 miles, 8.4 km, direction E)
The Bolton Abbey Estate covers 30,000 acres of beautiful countryside in the Yorkshire Dales.There are medieval buildings to explore and 80 miles of moorland, woodland and riverside footpaths.
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Burnsall, in the county of North Yorkshire (6.4 miles, 10.3 km, direction N)
Viewed from the surrounding grassy fells, this gorgeous stone village with its striking walls softened by rich green foliage, presents a picture of timeless charm.
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Grassington, in the county of North Yorkshire (7.3 miles, 11.8 km, direction N)
This is Upper Wharfdale's principle village. It is a place of quiet charm with a lovely old bridge spanning the River Wharfe and cobbled lanes with pretty stone cottages descending towards the attractive village square.
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Keighley, in the county of West Yorkshire (7.8 miles, 12.5 km, direction SE)
This is an industrial town in West Yorkshire. It lies in a fold between the fine countryside of Airdale and Keighley Moors.
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Ilkley, in the county of West Yorkshire (8.2 miles, 13.1 km, direction E)
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Malham, in the county of North Yorkshire (8.8 miles, 14.1 km, direction NW)
High on the moors and dales of Yorshire, lies the wild and desolate place of Malham..
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Haworth, in the county of West Yorkshire (9.6 miles, 15.4 km, direction S)
Haworth is famous the world over for its connections with the Bronte sisters, the famous novelists.
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Harden, in the county of West Yorkshire (10.2 miles, 16.4 km, direction SE)
Harden lies in the famous countryside area between Cullingworth and Bingley surrounded by rivers and meadows. It is a favoured commuter base for those working in nearby Bradford.
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Saltaire, in the county of West Yorkshire (12.7 miles, 20.5 km, direction SE)
This perfectly preserved village originated as an answer to Bradford's 'dark satanic mills', it was the brain-child of...
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Kettlewell, in the county of North Yorkshire (12.8 miles, 20.6 km, direction N)
The spectacular limestone beauty of Kettlewell has been appreciated by travellers for decades. It has a series of delightful cottages clustered around the little Cam Beck, a tributary of the River Wharfe as it plunges from Great Whernside.
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Barley, a Picturesque Village in the county of Lancashire (12.8 miles, 20.6 km, direction SW)
Barley is a picturesque village in Lancashire, close to Pendle hill, and is often used as a starting point for those who come to...
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Arncliffe, in the county of North Yorkshire (13.0 miles, 20.9 km, direction N)
Arncliffe is the largest of Littondales four villages and is situated on the lovely River Skirfare.
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Settle, in the county of North Yorkshire (13.0 miles, 20.9 km, direction NW)
A market town in the Yorkshire Dales and also the starting point for the Settle - Carlisle Railway; one of Britain's most...
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Pateley Bridge, in the county of North Yorkshire (13.4 miles, 21.6 km, direction NE)
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Giggleswick, in the county of North Yorkshire (13.6 miles, 21.9 km, direction NW)
Giggleswick, is as charming as it's melodious name. It lies in a favoured position in the Ribbersdale Valley, a stone's throw across the river from the lively market town of Settle.
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Nearby travel help

Skipton Station	(0.6 miles, 1.0 km)
Cononley Station	(3.2 miles, 5.1 km, direction S)
M65 Junction 14	(10.4 miles, 16.8 km, direction SW)
M65 Junction 13	(11.7 miles, 18.9 km, direction SW)
Leeds Bradford International Airport	(15.7 miles, 25.2 km, direction SE)
Manchester Airport	(43.2 miles, 69.5 km, direction S)
Skipton to London	(187.3 miles, 301.3 km, direction SE)

Hotels & Accommodation in Skipton

Hotel Name	Approximate distance from Skipton center
Herriots Hotel	(0.6 miles, 1.0 km)
Rendez-vous At Skipton	(1.3 miles, 2.2 km, direction S)
Red Lion Hotel	(6.3 miles, 10.1 km, direction NE)
Dalesgate Hotel	(6.8 miles, 11.0 km, direction SE)
Gamekeeper's Inn	(8.1 miles, 13.0 km, direction N)
Craiglands Hotel	(8.7 miles, 14.0 km, direction E)
Woodlands Grange	(9.7 miles, 15.6 km, direction S)
The Plough Inn at Wigglesworth	(11.8 miles, 19.0 km, direction W)
Ramada Bradford / Leeds	(12.0 miles, 19.3 km, direction SE)
Falcon Manor Hotel	(12.9 miles, 20.7 km, direction NW)
All hotels in Skipton