A Stormy Day Out in Skipton – Eating, Drinking and Laughing All the Way Back to Thisledo Holiday Cottage

3rd October 2025

You know you’re on holiday in Yorkshire when even a named storm can’t keep you indoors. I’d booked myself a stay at Thisledo Holiday Cottage in Skipton, and while the weather forecast threatened gale-force winds, sideways rain and the occasional flying umbrella, I wasn’t about to miss a day exploring Skipton’s charming town centre. After all, if you can’t go hiking in the Yorkshire Dales, you might as well eat your way around town!

Breakfast at The Cake ’Ole – Battling the Wind to Find a Brew

The morning began with the howling wind rattling the windows of Thisledo Holiday Cottage (thankfully, the walls are thick, the heating cosy, and the double glazing quitens the storm outside). With a sturdy umbrella in one hand and an optimistic attitude in the other, I ventured out.

I didn’t make it far before the umbrella turned inside out, but Skipton’s cafés are plentiful. I found refuge in The Cake ’Ole, a quirky café hidden inside Craven Court Shopping Centre. Over a full English breakfast and a steaming mug of Yorkshire tea, I watched other storm-battered adventurers wrestle with umbrellas in the courtyard. It’s hard not to feel smug when you’re warm, dry, and well-fed.

Lunch at The Woolly Sheep Inn – Rain-Soaked but Still Smiling

By midday, the drizzle had upgraded to a full sideways assault. Luckily, Skipton town centre is compact, so darting between shops wasn’t too much of a struggle. After stocking up on treats from The Traditional Sweet Shop and a pork pie from Stanforth’s Butchers, I gave in to the lure of a roaring fire at The Woolly Sheep Inn.

Soup of the day? Yes, please. A pint of Timothy Taylor’s Landlord? Well, it would’ve been rude not to. From my window seat, I watched puddles turn into small lakes and decided there are far worse ways to spend a stormy afternoon than sipping ale and people-watching in Skipton.

Dinner at Le Bistro des Amis – A Perfect Ending to a Blustery Day

By evening, the storm was still going strong, but so was my appetite. For dinner, I headed to Le Bistro des Amis, a gem of a French restaurant tucked away near the canal. Their slow-cooked lamb shoulder with dauphinoise potatoes was hearty enough to warm even the stormiest of evenings. And yes, I managed to find room for sticky toffee pudding (it should be mandatory in Yorkshire).

The walk back to Thisledo Holiday Cottage was brisk, damp, and full of laughter. There’s something oddly joyful about splashing through puddles when you know a warm, welcoming cottage is waiting for you just a few steps away.

Back Home at Thisledo Holiday Cottage

Back inside, shoes drying by the door, I made myself a cuppa and curled up on the sofa. The storm could roar all it liked — I had a snug cottage, a full belly, and the satisfaction of a day well spent in Skipton town centre.

So if you’re wondering whether a named storm should put you off visiting? Absolutely not. In Skipton, the food is hearty, the pubs are welcoming, and the rain only makes the cottage feel even cosier when you return. Thisledo Holiday Cottage really does live up to its name — when the storm hits, “this’ll do” very nicely indeed.