🐾 The Labrador Who Thought He Owned Skipton Castle

9th August 2025

It started as an innocent morning walk. The sun was peeking over the rooftops, the cobbled streets of Skipton were just waking up, and our four-legged guest, Bertie the black Labrador, had one thing on his mind: conquest.

From the moment we left Thisledo Holiday Cottage, he strode through town with the confidence of a monarch returning to their palace. By the time the castle walls came into view, Bertie had decided this ancient stronghold was his.

Every stone was inspected.
Every tourist was greeted.
Every pigeon was… well, diplomatically ignored (you can’t let them see you flustered).

Inside the grounds, he took the lead—literally. Bertie’s humans may have been holding the lead, but make no mistake, he was in charge. Each room was sniffed for “security purposes” and every corner thoroughly checked for biscuit storage potential.

Locals smiled, visitors snapped photos, and one child solemnly asked if he was “the castle’s real owner.” Bertie’s tail wagged in royal approval.

Why Skipton Castle is paw-fect for a dog day out

While dogs can’t go inside the castle buildings themselves, the grounds and surrounding woods offer a fantastic walk. Just a few paw-steps away, the Leeds–Liverpool Canal provides a scenic route back to town, with plenty of benches for a treat stop (for both humans and hounds).

And back at Thisledo Holiday Cottage, Bertie returned to his throne—aka the his holiday bed—content that his kingdom was safe for another day.

So, if you’re bringing your own royal canine to Skipton, remember: you might just find yourself the subject of their holiday story. After all, in the eyes of a dog, the Yorkshire Dales is one big, beautiful castle.