Five Things to Do in Skipton (That Don’t Involve Chasing Sheep)
2nd March 2025
Welcome to Skipton, the “Gateway to the Dales,” home to cobbled streets, a spectacular medieval castle, and more independent tearooms than you can shake a scone at. If you’re lucky enough to be staying at Thisledo Holiday Cottage, congratulations! You’ve picked a prime location for relaxation, adventure, and eating your body weight in Yorkshire puddings.
But what to do while you’re here? Fear not, dear traveller! Here are five things you absolutely must try (and one thing you probably shouldn’t) while enjoying your stay in Skipton.
1. Visit Skipton Castle (and Pretend You Own It)
Skipton Castle is over 900 years old, which is probably longer than it takes to get served at the pub on a busy Saturday night. One of the best-preserved medieval castles in England, it comes complete with dungeons, a banqueting hall, and enough spiral staircases to make your FitBit weep.
Pro tip: Stride confidently through the castle grounds, loudly referring to it as “my humble abode.” Bonus points if you wear a cape and insist people address you as “Your Grace.”
2. Take a Boat Trip on the Leeds-Liverpool Canal
The canal runs right through the heart of Skipton, offering leisurely boat trips with the added entertainment of watching tourists attempt to operate bridges without falling in. You can either hire your own boat (recommended only if you have some level of coordination) or let someone else do the steering while you sit back and sip a nice cup of Yorkshire Tea.
Top tip: Wave regally at passersby. It’s important they know you are having a better time than them.
3. Get Lost in Skipton’s Market (Then Buy Something You Don’t Need)
Skipton’s famous market runs four days a week, offering everything from locally made cheese to slightly suspect garden gnomes. It’s a great place to pick up souvenirs, especially if you’ve ever thought, What my house really needs is a hand-knitted tea cosy shaped like a sheep.
Essential strategy: Haggle with the stallholders, but do it in a friendly Yorkshire way. A good rule of thumb is to knock a bit off the price but offer to buy them a pint later.
4. Climb Up to Skipton Woods (Then Regret It Halfway Up)
If you fancy a scenic stroll that makes you feel like you’re in a Brontë novel, Skipton Woods is the place to be. It’s a short, picturesque walk with fairy-tale trees, babbling brooks, and just enough incline to remind you that you should have gone to the gym last year.
Pro tip: Take snacks. Not because the walk is long, but because every British outing is improved by emergency biscuits.
5. Attempt to Eat an Entire Yorkshire Pudding the Size of Your Head
Skipton is home to some truly excellent pubs, most of which serve traditional Sunday roasts with Yorkshire puddings the size of small hot air balloons. These are not for the faint-hearted.
Warning: If you finish the entire thing, locals may either applaud or recruit you for their local food challenges. Either way, you’ll be too full to move for at least three hours.
BONUS TIP: What Not to Do – Engage in a Staring Contest with a Sheep
The Yorkshire Dales are just on Skipton’s doorstep, full of stunning countryside, rolling hills, and lots (and lots) of sheep. While they may look cute and fluffy, they take their job of standing in the middle of the road very seriously.
If you do encounter one, remain calm, avoid direct eye contact, and accept that the sheep is in charge now.
Final Thoughts…
Skipton is a brilliant place to visit, whether you’re here for history, nature, or just the pleasure of consuming an indecent amount of cake. And when the day’s adventures are done, you can return to Thisledo Holiday Cottage, put your feet up, and bask in the glory of having conquered (or at least survived) the delights of Skipton.
Now, who’s ready for another Yorkshire pudding?