Dodging Raindrops and Discovering Craven Court: A Skipton Rainy Day Adventure
21st March 2025
So, you’ve arrived in Skipton, ready for a picturesque stroll along the Leeds-Liverpool Canal, a hike up to Skipton Castle Woods, or perhaps a leisurely wander through the market. You’ve imagined yourself basking in the quaint charm of the town, perhaps stopping for a coffee al fresco, soaking up the Yorkshire sunshine.
Except…it’s chucking it down.
Not just a light drizzle—the kind of rain that soaks you through in approximately 3.7 seconds. The sort of rain that laughs in the face of “waterproof” jackets. The type of rain that makes you question every life choice leading up to this moment.
Step 1: Acceptance
You briefly consider toughing it out, braving the elements like a true Yorkshire warrior. But then a gust of wind blasts icy droplets into your face, and you realise that no one would judge you for seeking shelter. So, back to the holiday cottage you go, peeling off your drenched outer layers like a soggy onion.
You contemplate a day spent indoors. A cup of tea, a good book, maybe even a nap. But let’s be honest—you didn’t come to Skipton just to stare at the wallpaper. You need a plan. You need an adventure. You need…Craven Court.
Step 2: The Secret Entrance
Armed with an umbrella that may or may not survive the next gust of wind, you dash through Skipton’s streets like a contestant on Gladiators. Just as you begin to despair, you spot something curious—a stone archway tucked between the shops, unassuming and easy to miss if you didn’t know better.
Like a scene straight out of Harry Potter, you half expect to have to tap a brick with your umbrella or whisper a magic word to gain access. But no sooner do you step through than the rain disappears, and you find yourself in another world—a covered, twinkling arcade of boutiques, tea rooms, and treasure troves.
Gone is the dreary downpour; in its place, a warm glow from vintage-style lamps, the hum of contented shoppers, and the irresistible scent of coffee and cake. It’s not quite Diagon Alley, but for a weary traveller in need of shelter, it might as well be.
Step 3: The Browsing
Craven Court is a labyrinth of quirky boutiques and delightful little shops. You immediately lose all sense of time and purpose.
You find yourself drawn into the Health Foods Store, a haven of natural whole foods and supplements. Suddenly, you’re contemplating the benefits of organic oat milk and wondering if you should start taking spirulina. You leave with a bag of artisan granola, a bottle of kombucha, and a vague feeling that you’ve made excellent life choices.
Next, you wander into Joules, where the colourful, country-inspired clothing calls to you like a siren song. You convince yourself that a new waterproof jacket is an essential purchase (given the weather, this is entirely justifiable), and perhaps a stylish scarf and a pair of wellies wouldn’t go amiss either. Before you know it, you’re fully kitted out to take on the Yorkshire elements in style.
Then there’s Emma’s Apothecary, where you suddenly become deeply invested in bath salts and scented candles, because why shouldn’t your holiday cottage smell like a lavender-infused spa?
Step 4: The Reward
All this shopping and sheltering requires sustenance, which means The Cake’ole is next on the agenda. You order a hot chocolate so extravagant it could be mistaken for a dessert masterpiece, complete with whipped cream, sprinkles, and possibly an entire chocolate bar melted into it.
As you take your first sip, you glance outside at the rain—still hammering down, still unrelenting. But do you care? Absolutely not. You’ve conquered the elements, outwitted the weather, and discovered Skipton’s hidden indoor gem.
Tomorrow, if the rain lets up, maybe you’ll brave the great outdoors. But for now, you have cake, you have hot chocolate, and you have a new appreciation for the wonders of Craven Court.
Who needs sunshine, anyway?
