Skipton is only a hop, Skip, and a jump away from Leeds via the Northern Rail line. It takes approximately 42 minutes to travel the distance between the two. Making it the perfect, scenic destination for a day trip.
Leeds train station can be busy. A little chaotic with people rushing about to find their platform. Give yourself enough time, and it’s no problem. That’s my anxiety speaking. Check your platform departure number on arrival and hop on board for a day of adventure. An excellent outing and chance to explore somewhere new.
We love train travel in England. An easy way to get from place to place. A novelty we do not have at home. Perfect for exploring and adventuring. I think if we had this at home, you might never see me. You would find me riding the rails in search of new places, and new adventures.
That being said, there has been an ongoing issue with rail strikes. Two years in and they do not seem to be going away. This requires a little more planning and flexibility on your part. Two weeks notice is required in advance of strike action. Our best advice, keep an eye on the strike dates and plan around them where possible.
A BritRail pass is the best bet for international travellers. They must be purchased from your home country. Simply buy the pass online, load it onto your phone, and off you go. Paper tickets are available. These require a little more time to arrive.
Enough said, time to sit back, relax, and enjoy the amazing scenery. No need to rush. North Yorkshire does not disappoint!
Rolling green hills, quaint villages, lovely little train stations, and historic sites pass by your window. With each new station, you are given a peek at other places you may wish to explore. There is no shortage. I think our list of things to do gets longer every time.
We were there in May, and it was lambing season. It is hard not to smile at their cuteness as they play happily in the field. That is, until the big, scary train comes. Then it is off to mom they run. Now PLEASE do not tell me where most of them are destined to end up. I prefer to live in denial and picture them living out their lives in those beautiful green fields, providing the odd woolen sweater.
The train trip from Leeds gives you splendid views of the Leeds to Liverpool Canal with its many canal boats. The towpath running alongside the canal provides for great walking and biking trails. You can walk the entire towpath from Leeds to Liverpool in about two weeks. There is a lot of history to the canals. A post for another time. I could see us doing a trip via a canal boat or a walking holiday.
A market town and civil parish in North Yorkshire, Skipton is known as the Southern Gateway to the Yorkshire Dales. Its proximity to the Yorkshire Dales National Park makes it a great starting or stopping point for exploration of the Dales. It began life when the owners of Skipton Castle acquired a market charter in 1204. It then thrived as a trading centre for sheep and wool. Today, there is a population of approximately 15,000 people. It has been listed as one of the best and happiest places to live in the UK. I believe I could be quite happy living here.
Rich in history and outstanding natural beauty, it is hard to resist this market town. The 900-year-old Skipton Castle stands high and proud as its centrepiece, and the historic cobbled High Street makes for perfect browsing of its shops, bakeries, and eating establishments. With the husband in tow, there is always a pub high on the list of things to do. Of which, there are many.
Suggestions for the Perfect Day in Skipton:
- Skipton Castle – one of the most complete and best-preserved medieval castles in England. At over 900 years of age, it is well worth a visit rain or shine. Enjoy a walk through the castle and its grounds. Below it, you can see the beautiful walking path for Skipton Castle Woods.
- Woodland Trust’s Skipton Castle Woods – we discovered this beautiful walk on our most recent visit. It is hard to believe you can escape from the business of High Street to the tranquility of this rare ancient woodland within seconds. Perfect for those who want to unwind in the peace and tranquility of nature. It has a fascinating history dating back a thousand years.
- Peruse the shops and eateries on High Street. I love quaint little gift shops and exploring little alleyways to see what I can find. Skipton Market operates Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday throughout the year. Always worth checking out, never know what you might find.
- Enjoy a pint at one of the many pubs. One of our faves is the Castle Inn. A traditional pub with great cask ales, and an excellent food selection. Seating can be found inside or outside. This is by no means the only pub, there are many lovely ones to choose from. We just need to try a few more of them. If you are in Skipton on a Sunday, do not forget to book in somewhere for a traditional Sunday Roast. A Sunday must for us.
- Walk the canals around the city. Stop at one of the little pubs on the canal and do some people watching. We checked out the Boathouse Bar which was a great little spot for watching the canal boats. They were coming and going right in front of the bar. There is seating inside and outside. It was kind of nice to sit outside on a sunny day.
- Take a canal boat tour. They range from 30 minutes to two hours. Depending on how much time you have, you should be able to find one to fit your schedule. It is a wonderful way to explore the area from the water.
These are just a few ideas for a day out in Skipton and by no means a full list. A list of some of our personal favourites. There is much more to explore depending on your wants. We left wishing we were spending a couple of nights there. This would have allowed us more time to fully enjoy all that Skipton has to offer.
Day trips are a great way to get away from it all. The perfect opportunity to explore somewhere new. We quite often find it nice to find a central location, base ourselves there, and do day trips. While it may seem the time passes all too quickly, you can always come back. You’ve had a taste of what it has to offer. I know we would be very happy to return to Skipton!
