9.23mi Skipton to Low Bradley Circular Walk
Updated: Oct 23
This 9.23-mile circular walk sets out from Skipton and explores the countryside towards Low Bradley before returning to the town. The route brings together part of the Aire valley, open country and Skipton's long history as a market town.
The outing was recorded in two parts, so both original Komoot links are retained below. Together they show the route from the day rather than an unrelated walking route.
Walk at a Glance
Distance: 9.23 miles across the two original route recordings
Route: Circular walk recorded in two parts
Location: Skipton and Low Bradley, North Yorkshire
Start and finish: The Travelodge in Skipton, as recorded in the original account
Terrain: Town paths and countryside tracks in the Aire valley
Main features: Skipton, surrounding countryside and Low Bradley
Original map: Both recorded parts appear below
Parking: Skipton has council car parks at Coach Street, Cavendish Street and High Street; check charges before visiting. Official visitor information
The Walk
Starting in Skipton
We stayed at the Travelodge, which is why the walk starts and finishes there. Before heading out, we called in at Robertshaw’s next door for a grand breakfast to set us up for the day. We also enjoyed a few pints along the route, and that may explain why the walk ended up in two parts — I accidentally pressed “finish” on the app after one of those said pints!!!
The first part of the walk begins in Skipton. The town sits at the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, with old stone streets, Skipton Castle and the Leeds & Liverpool Canal all contributing to its character.
From the town, the recorded walk heads into the countryside towards Low Bradley. This area of the Aire valley includes fields and tracks between the settlements, rather than being entirely an urban or canalside walk.
Towards Low Bradley
Low Bradley lies east of Skipton, separated from the town by farmland and the Aire valley. The surrounding landscape is a mixture of agricultural fields and gentle hills.
The walk covers considerably more ground than a short circuit around central Skipton. The original recordings follow the outing through the countryside and back towards town, with the precise route shown by the two embedded Komoot maps.
Returning to Skipton
The route returns towards Skipton, with the market town providing the base for the day. The two recordings were saved separately after the app was accidentally stopped during one of the pub breaks, which explains why this walk has two original maps.
A Bit of Local History
Skipton Castle
Skipton Castle dates back to around 1090, when the Norman baron Robert de Romille established an early timber fortification. Stone defences followed, and the Clifford family became closely associated with the castle after receiving it in 1310.
The castle withstood a lengthy siege during the English Civil War before surrendering in December 1645. Lady Anne Clifford later undertook extensive restoration, helping to preserve one of Yorkshire's best-surviving medieval castles.
A Market Town and the Canal
Skipton's name derives from an Old English term meaning sheep town, reflecting the importance of agriculture and wool in this part of Yorkshire. A market charter was granted in 1204, and trading remains closely associated with the town's High Street.
The Leeds & Liverpool Canal reached Skipton in 1773, well before the entire cross-Pennine waterway was completed in 1816. Its arrival helped move limestone and manufactured goods and supported the area's industrial development.
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