In and Around Skipton

Paul Shorrock

You need to log in as a member of Walkingworld to access the details for this walk and have an active subscription. Please join, or log in above if you are already a member.

Skipton is well-named as the Gateway to the Yorkshire Dales and the majority of visitors approaching the Dales will come by that gateway. In fact, at one time you would have had no option but to drive through the centre of Skipton on your journey and the traffic jams used to be horrendous. Now the town is neatly by-passed and most visitors to the Dales never give Skipton a second thought.

This is a pity, because Skipton is a very attractive market town, with a long and interesting history. It is also an excellent base for visiting the south and east of the Yorkshire Dales, with a better than average range of facilities. It is also blessed with good-sized (and reasonably priced) car parks, as well as being on bus and rail routes. In other words, Skipton is well worth a visit.

The centre of town is compact and easy to navigate without any further help. This walk sets out to show you some of the quieter backwaters of the town, literally so because it starts out by following a short branch off the Leeds - Liverpool Canal, going directly below the walls of Skipton Castle. The route continues by following the course of Eller Beck through Skipton Wood, before returning to town via the heights of the Battery, the position from which Cromwell's artillery is said to have bombarded Skipton Castle in a siege that lasted almost three years.

On returning to town, the route follows the canal once more, taking you around the back of the main street before heading back to the start point. Once you have returned you may be tempted to join the shoppers on the main street. You will see some of the well-known shop fronts that you find in most towns, but there is also a host of small local businesses, giving a unique feel to the place. There is also an outdoor market on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, including bank holidays. On top of all that, there is a great selection of places to get a drink or a meal (see additional information).

The walk itself is short, but be prepared to spend a whole day here!

England - North England - Yorkshire - Town or city