Things to do in Skipton, North Yorkshire
The small town of Skipton in North Yorkshire is well known for its wonderfully well-preserved mediaeval castle which overlooks the High Street.
Also known as Skipton-in-Craven, and nicknamed the "Gateway to the Dales", it lies on the south side of the scenic Yorkshire Dales, 16 miles northwest of Bradford
At the 2001 census, Skipton had a population of 14,313. It has some charming historic architecture and a wide choice of local shops serving the surrounding rural area.
The High Street runs down from Skipton Castle and the Holy Trinity Church past former coaching inns and workshops.
The Town Hall is often used for social events and crafts fairs and is the home of the local history museum.
Skipton has two theatres - the Little Theatre and the Mart Theatre - and several pubs, nightclubs and restaurants.
The Copper Dragon Brewery also started brewing cask beers in the town and it currently has several pubs in the area.
Skipton is linked by the electrified Airedale Line to Leeds, Bradford, Lancaster, Morecambe and Carlisle.
Famous residents include Thomas Spencer, co-founder of Marks and Spencer stores, mathematician Thomas William Edmondson, actress Elaine Glover and politician Iain Macleod.
Things to do in Skipton
This pretty town is located on the River Aire and the Leeds and Liverpool Canal which both provide pleasant walks and plenty of wildlife.
The gala starts with a parade through the town to Aireville Park where live music, family events and fireworks entertain the crowds.
The castle was rebuilt in the 1650s and offers an excellent tour of its well-preserved buildings.
Nearby attractions include the cobbled streets of Grassington village, Malham Tarn and Moor with its limestone pavements, scenic Wharfedale, Bolton Abbey and White Scar Cave at Ingleton.
History of Skipton
Skipton Castle was built by Robert de Romille in 1090.
It gave Skipton a great deal of importance and it became an administrative burgh with a charter, granted in 1204.
The town grew up around the castle to serve it and benefit from its protection.
Skipton's main trade was wool, sheep trading and later, producing woollen goods.
The town's economy gradually moved away from cloth weaving towards tourism in the 20th century.
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Days Out in Skipton
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Skipton Castle (<1 Mile)*
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Parcevall Hall Gardens (4 Miles)*
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Bolton Abbey (5 Miles)*
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Yorkshire Dales Mining Museum (6 Miles)*
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Stump Cross Caverns (9 Miles)*
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Bronte Parsonage Museum (9 Miles)*
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Malham Tarn and Moor (11 Miles)*
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Queen Street Mill Textile Museum (13 Miles)*
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The Darley Mill Centre (13 Miles)*
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Nidderdale Museum (13 Miles)*
Places to Visit near Skipton
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Appletreewick (6 Miles)*
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Burnsall (6 Miles)*
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Grassington (7 Miles)*
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Keighley (8 Miles)*
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Ilkley (8 Miles)*
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Haworth (9 Miles)*
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Colne (10 Miles)*
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Bingley (10 Miles)*
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Menston (12 Miles)*
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Saltaire (12 Miles)*
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