Skipton medieval North Yorkshire town is a gem to visit

Skipton is the perfect day out for anyone who enjoys delving into local history wherever they go. 

The town’s main attraction, a medieval castle, dates back to around 1069 with a Tudor wing that was added in the 1500s. It was built by the Normans to strengthen their control over the area and defend from invading Scots. 

It’s somewhere you could easily spend an afternoon exploring. There are several parts of the site to check out, including the watch tower, dungeons, chapel terrace and ancient woodland, which is adjacent to the castle and managed by the Woodland Trust. 

Skipton is just an 80-minute drive away from Darlington. (Image: Supplied) While it was the castle that first drew me to Skipton as a child, it’s the retail offerings, cafes and pubs that keep me coming back as an adult. 

It’s always a good idea to time your visit with the market days, which are Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. While many other towns have seen their markets dwindle in the last decade, Skipton is one place where the tradition is still very much alive.

From pick-and-mix sweets to outdoor wear, from garden furniture to artisan cheese, there are a wide variety of traders, it doesn’t matter if you’re looking for something specific or just browsing, it’s hard to come away empty handed. 

There are plenty of other independent shops and boutiques to visit. Customer service always tends to be top-notch in these shops, with staff that seem to be always more than happy to have a chat. 

After all that shopping, it is essential that you stop off at one of the many pubs or cafes. One of my favourites is the Narrow Boat, which is located in a quiet spot off the main High Street where the market is.

If you want to stop and watch the boats go by on the canal – or take a trip on one – the Boat House Bar is the place to be. And if it’s real ale you’re after, the Beer Engine has just been announced as Yorkshire’s regional winner in CAMRA’s Pub of the Year awards.

Skipton is also a great place for foodies – it even has a Michelin-starred restaurant, The Angel at Hetton. However, my go-to in Skipton is Bizzie Lizzie’s fish and chip restaurant, which is good enough to compete with the exceptionally high standards of Darlington's own Cockerton Fisheries.