Skipton is a lively market town on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, often described as the “Gateway to the Dales”. With its historic high street, medieval castle, scenic canal walks and excellent transport links, Skipton is a popular base for exploring the western Dales while enjoying the convenience of a well-served town.
Whether you’re visiting for a weekend break, a walking holiday or as part of a longer Yorkshire itinerary, Skipton offers a good balance of history, countryside access and places to stay.
Planning a Stay in Skipton
Skipton has a wide choice of accommodation, from hotels and guesthouses in the town centre to quieter B&Bs and inns just outside town. Staying centrally puts you within walking distance of Skipton Castle, the market, shops and canal basin, while countryside accommodation nearby offers easy access to walking routes and villages across the Yorkshire Dales.
Where to Stay in Skipton
Skipton works well as a base thanks to its location, rail connections and range of facilities. Choosing the right area depends on how you plan to spend your time. Skipton has a good mix of cosy B&Bs, hotels, pubs and self-catering cottages — ideal if you want a relaxing base that still puts you on the doorstep of the Dales.
Check availability in Skipton and you’ll see what’s best for your dates.
Check on the map for places to stay in Skipton
Skipton Town Centre
The best option for first-time visitors. Staying in the centre means you’re close to the high street, Skipton Castle, the market, cafés, pubs and the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. Ideal if you want to explore on foot and enjoy the town’s atmosphere. Its high street is lined with shops and banks as well as public houses, but it is its vibrant outdoor market that really brings the crowds, with stalls selling everything from traditional boiled sweets to local cheese and clothing. The market is held four days each week and attracts people from all over the country, with many arriving on coach trips.
Near the Leeds and Liverpool Canal
Accommodation close to the canal offers scenic walks, boat trips and easy access to waterside pubs and restaurants. This area is popular with couples and visitors looking for a more relaxed pace while still being close to the town centre.
Countryside & Outskirts
Just outside Skipton you’ll find rural B&Bs, inns and small hotels set in quieter surroundings. These are ideal if you’re planning to explore the Dales by car, visit nearby attractions such as Bolton Abbey, or want a more peaceful stay.
Why Stay in Skipton?
Skipton is one of the most practical places to stay in the Yorkshire Dales. The town combines historic character with modern amenities, making it easy to enjoy both town life and outdoor exploration.
Key reasons to base yourself in Skipton include:
- Direct rail links to Leeds and Bradford
- Easy access to walking routes and villages in the western Dales
- A lively market town with shops, pubs and restaurants
- Major attractions within walking distance
For visitors who want flexibility, Skipton offers one of the best balances of location and convenience in the region.
Things To Do In Skipton
Skipton as a Base for the Yorkshire Dales
Skipton’s location makes it an excellent starting point for exploring the Dales. Popular nearby destinations include:
- Bolton Abbey and the Strid
- Malham Cove and Gordale Scar
- Grassington and Wharfedale
- Embsay and Steam Railway journeys
For visitors without a car, Skipton’s rail and bus connections make it one of the easiest Dales towns to navigate.
Other Yorkshire Dales Towns to Consider
For a more spa-focused break or easy rail access from York, you may also want to consider Harrogate, one of Yorkshire’s most elegant towns. Where to stay in Harrogate.
Are you a keen walker or cyclist? Why not visit Ilkley with direct access to Ilkley Moor and well-signposted routes into Wharfedale. Ilkley travel guide & places to stay
At the top of the high street stands Holy Trinity Church, which is a gothic structure that has been designated as Grade I listed building by English Heritage.
The current church was restored in 1909, but there has been a place of worship at the site since the 12th century. The original structure would have been built with wood before bricks were added around 1300. Further extension work taking place during the 16th century.
Adjacent to the church is Skipton Castle, which is one of the best preserved medieval fortresses in the country.
Also a wooded structure to begin with, it was built the Norman baron Robert de Romille in 1090 before being strengthened in order to prevent Scottish attacks by William le Gross in the 12th century.
During the English Civil War it was one of the main Royalist garrisons in the north. After the castle surrendered to the Roundheads in 1645, Oliver Cromwell ordered for its roof to be removed and it remained open to the elements for more than a decade until Lady Anne Clifford, who was born at the castle, was given permission to restore it on the condition that the castle would no longer bear canons.
Today you can explore each corner of this impressive building and see its large banqueting hall, descend to the depths of its dungeon and climb to the top of the watch tower.
In front of the castle is Skipton Town Hall which houses the Craven Museum and Gallery. Run mainly by volunteers, it features many artefacts that have been excavated at local sites as well as the Roebuck art collection, which was bequeathed to the museum by the respected collector Clement Roebuck in 1988.
The works are from numerous artists with a number of depicting Dales landscapes, including Arthur Bell-Foster’s A Swaledale Village and Wharfedale from Heyshaw Beck by Frank Dobson.
The museum also contains a dedication to Thomas Spencer, one of the founders of the internationally known supermarket and lifestyle chain Marks & Spencer who lived in the town.
When walking around Skipton you may notice a number of bronze waymarkers. These indicate the path of the Millennium Walk, a hiking route that was opened in 2000. It starts on the footpath of the Leeds Liverpool canal and takes around two hours to complete.
If you don’t fancy walking you can take a 60 minute boat trip on the canal in a traditional barge. On the journey you will see a number of buildings that will give you a picture of Skipton’s importance in the textile trade during the 19th century.
The canal itself was completed in 1816 and covers 127 miles, making it the longest manmade waterway in Great Britain. It was used to transport coal and stone originally but later became important in the movement of goods from the mills.
Today you won’t see any goods being moved, but you will see a number of people enjoying the water in rental and private barges. You’re likely to see a good number of swans as well.
A major tourist attraction close to Skipton is Bolton Abbey. Founded by Augustinian monks in the 12th century, the abbey was one of the biggest monasteries in the country prior the English Reformation in 1540.
The priory had the lead stripped from its roof and was open to the weather, causing it to fall into ruins. However, the Church of St Mary and St Cuthbert, next to the Abbey is still intact and boasts stunning stained-glass windows and striking wall paintings.