For a family day out, we decided to visit Skipton in North Yorkshire. Skipton is a market town located 27 miles north west of Leeds, and is on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park with some of the country’s most dramatic scenery on its doorstep. Along the high street, a market takes place four times a week on each Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. As our visit was on a Saturday the market was bustling with activity. It really is the heart and soul of the town and we found it interesting to browse the stalls which are located on the old cobblestone setts.
The market is spread out along each side of the road selling clothes, hardware, fresh food, etc. but since our last visit I was disappointed to note the decline in fresh food stalls. There used to be many fruit and vegetable stalls but on our visit there were only two remaining, a little sad to see, but nowadays the convenience of supermarket shopping is the likely cause. Lawson’s cheese stall took my eye and I was tempted into buying some Yorkshire Dales cheese – a piece of Wensleydale with cranberries and some Coverdale to take home to try.
The town has won several awards, in 2014 The Sunday Times voted it the best place to live in Britain and it was a runner up in the recent 2016 nominations north of England section. Its High Street was voted ‘British High Street of the Year’ in 2009 in praise of many of its shops being independent retailers. The town manages to retain its old world charm whilst catering for modern day needs, with its narrow alleyways of converted warehouses some of which are now mill shops and interesting small stores. Being a chocolate lover I took a look inside the lovely Whitakers Chocolate shop and admired the beautiful chocolate Easter eggs and rabbits on display. Whitakers have been producing chocolate in Skipton for over 125 years and their delicious chocolates are now exported worldwide.
Dominating the top of the High Street stands Skipton Castle, one of the most complete medieval Norman castles in England and open all year. Located nearby is the Leeds Liverpool Canal where we spent some time taking a pleasant stroll along its towpath behind the castle walls in one direction before heading back towards the canal basin in the centre of town. Short pleasure trips on narrowboats can be boarded here and it’s also the starting point for self drive canal boat holidays along this interesting stretch of waterway.
Overlooking the canal is the award winning Bizzie Lizzies Fish and Chip restaurant and takeaway. A firm favourite with ourselves and many other visitors to the town, especially on a cold day. There’s usually a queue outside but I can confirm that the wait is worthwhile as the fresh fish is cooked to perfection in a light batter and served with chips and a portion of mushy peas.
After our tasty lunch we continued wandering through the town. More shops are to be found along Sheep Street which runs parallel with the high street and an indoor shopping centre ‘Craven Court’ lies across the road. This small mall opened in 1988 following the conversion of a 16th century building, tastefully refurbished with wrought iron work and a glass roof it now contains a variety of shops and cafes.
After a pleasant outing, we returned home looking forward to sampling our Dales cheese with some grapes and crackers for our after dinner dessert.
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It’s been way too long that I’ve been in the Yorkshire Dales. Thanks for taking me there!
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It’s my pleasure, the Yorkshire Dales are beautiful when the sun is shining.
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Thank you for giving me a reminder of a wonderful personal tour on which I was taken in 2003 part of which was to Skipton. The photograph on my About page is from the Ribble Valley.
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It’s so pleasing to read that you have visited Skipton and the Ribble Valley both beautiful places. Thank you for your much appreciated thoughts.
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pretty town!
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Thank you – it is a lovely places and canal boats are always interesting to look at. Thanks for your comment.
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Ages since I was in Skipton! I love the canal- of course 🙂
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It’s always a lovely place to visit. Thanks for your comment.
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Hope I get to visit here some time. It looks amazing, and I miss English hills and fish n chips! Thanks for sharing this experience 🙂
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It’s my pleasure. I think we also miss these things about Britain when we’re away. I do hope you get an opportunity to visit Skipton one day but in the meantime thank you for following my blog and joining me on my adventures.
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Currently moored in Leeds on my narrowboat, Skipton next. Really looking forward to it now.
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I’m sure you will love Skipton, hope it will be sunny for you!
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I love Skipton, it’s been a while though since we’ve visited. Reading your post makes me realise it’s time to go back!! Might try out those fish and chips this time too.
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On a sunny day Skipton is lovely and the fish and chips are delicious, too. It’s nice to read that you like Skipton and Harrogate, too!
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Looks like a lovely place! One day, I have to get there! 🙂
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Thanks for following my blog and I do hope you get an opportunity to visit Skipton before too long!
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You’ve painted an excellent picture of one of my favourite places and really made me want to get over there and visit again, your photos have really captured the atmosphere of the town.
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Thank you for your positive comments. Skipton is such a lovely little town especially when it’s market day.
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Very true, the town really comes to life when the market is there.
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I’ve somehow never been Yorkshire, but it always looks so beautiful. Thanks for sharing x
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Try and visit sometime, when the sun is shining it’s really lovely.
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What a lovely town! I especially love the colorful canal boats in your photograph. It sounds like it was a perfect day out.
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It’s so nice there, especially if it’s a sunny day!
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Skipton is such a lovely town, have visited a few times as I study in Leeds. I love that you share so many UK-based destinations on your blog, as it’s always nice to read about places close to home 🙂
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Thank you for your nice comments. Although I love to travel overseas as much as I can, its good to showcase some interesting places in England as well.
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Wow… It looks like such a great place! Yorkshire is beautiful and there’s so much history to be seen! Thank you for sharing all these information about Skipton. Looking forward for your next ‘discovery’!!!
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Thank you for your nice comments Fardeenah. Northern England is often overlooked by overseas visitors to the UK but the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District contain some of the country’s best scenery.
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Sounds like a delightful place to visit. Thanks for the insight. But now I have a taste for a cheese sandwich when I should be going to sleep. 🙂 Brick
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It really is a lovely small town Brick, so if ever you are visiting northern England try and spend some time in the Yorkshire Dales.
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