Skipton – A Yorkshire Market Town We Love Visiting

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Our Thoughts on Skipton – A Yorkshire Market Town We Love Visiting

Skipton is one of those Yorkshire towns where there's always something to do, whether it's browsing the shops, exploring the market, enjoying a walk or simply finding a good pub.

Lyn and I spent a few days here between Christmas and New Year, and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay. With its traditional market, historic castle, canal walks and excellent choice of pubs, Skipton has plenty to offer for a short break.

Where We Stayed – Travelodge Skipton

We managed to get a really good deal at the Travelodge on Gargrave Road, just outside the town centre.

One of the advantages was the free parking, and we found it a nice walk from the hotel into Skipton. It meant we could leave the car behind while exploring the town.

Another bonus was having Robertshaw's Farm Shop and Café next door.

We called in for breakfast one morning and had a lovely meal. It's a handy place to have so close to the hotel, particularly before heading out for a day's walking.

The hotel has limited free parking, available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Shopping and Skipton Market

One thing Skipton certainly isn't short of is shops.

There's a good mixture of independent businesses and familiar High Street names, making it an enjoyable town for a wander around.

We particularly like the traditional market, with its good number and variety of stalls selling everything from fresh produce to clothing, household goods and gifts.

The market takes place along the High Street on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, adding to the atmosphere of the town.

And, of course, Skipton has a good selection of charity shops, which always keeps Lyn happy!

It's the sort of place where you can easily spend a few hours browsing without realising how much time has passed.

Walking Around Skipton

Walking is always a big part of our trips, and Skipton has some excellent opportunities without needing to travel far.

One walk we particularly enjoyed took us along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, out towards a nearby village and then back again. It's a lovely way to get away from the busier town centre and enjoy the surrounding countryside.

Another favourite is walking around Skipton Castle and through the surrounding woodland.

Skipton Castle Woods offers a completely different setting from the busy High Street, with woodland paths and the sound of Eller Beck running through the valley.

We've also recorded a longer walk in the area, which you can find in our Skipton to Low Bradley walking blog.

Our Favourite Pubs in Skipton

Anyone who follows our travels will know that Lyn and I enjoy finding a good traditional Yorkshire pub, and Skipton certainly has plenty to choose from.

Some of the pubs we've particularly enjoyed include the Castle Inn, the Black Horse, the Railway, the Woolly Sheep Inn, the Devonshire Inn, the Cock & Bottle and the Royal Shepherd Inn.

The Castle Inn is one we particularly like, although it can get very busy, and finding somewhere to sit isn't always easy.

Another place we enjoyed was Skipton Working Men's Club on Keighley Road.

We found it very welcoming and really enjoyed our visit. Sometimes it's places like this that make a stay particularly memorable.

With so many pubs around the town, there's plenty of choice when it's time to put your feet up after a day exploring.

A Train Trip to Settle

Another advantage of staying in Skipton is how easy it is to visit other parts of the Yorkshire Dales.

Settle is particularly convenient, with a direct train journey taking around 20–25 minutes.

It's a great option for exploring another Yorkshire market town without needing to use the car.

Our Overall Thoughts on Skipton

For us, Skipton has a lot going for it.

There are plenty of shops, a proper traditional market, an excellent selection of pubs and some lovely walks around the canal, castle and surrounding countryside.

We also found it a convenient place to stay, particularly with the good-value Travelodge, free parking and Robertshaw's next door.

It's a town that works equally well for a day out or a few nights away. You don't have to plan every minute because there's always somewhere to explore.

Would we go back? Absolutely.

And with plenty of charity shops for Lyn, good walking routes for both of us and a decent choice of pubs, what's not to like?