Skipton

If there’s one place you should visit when travelling the Leeds & Liverpool Canal it’s Skipton.  A picturesque market town, the ‘gateway to the Dales,’ located amidst gently rolling Pennine hills.

Our mooring in Skipton

We spent three days enjoying its company.  Skipton’s main attraction is its castle, built in 1090; Skipton castle is one of the best preserved medieval castles in England.  Title to the castle was granted to Robert Clifford by Edward 11 in 1310 and it was his descendants who withstood a 3 year siege during the Civil War.

Castle Entrance - The following is displayed on the castle entrance.

The Civil War Siege of 1642-1645.

On 24^th December 1645 this very gateway withstood a remarkable site: the massive gates, which had remained closed against the Roundhead besiegers for three years, were thrown open; and out of the castle through the ranks of the enemy rode Sir John Mallory at the head of his staunch garrison. 

The long siege had failed to take Skipton castle.  It held out for the King until it was the last resisting castle in the North.  In the circumstances wise counsels prevailed, and the parliamentary, (Roundheads) forces agreed to most honourable terms for surrender. 

The Royal garrison marched away down Skipton high street ‘with colours flying, trumpets sounding, drums beating, matches lighted on both ends and bullets in their mouths, every trooper and every foot soldier with three charges of powder’ and was permitted to disperse with safe passage.

Outer Castle Walls

The Tudor Conduit Court with yew tree planted in 1659 by Lady Anne Clifford.

Skipton Town Hall is home to the impressive Craven Museum & Gallery.  The Museum’s exhibition of costumes, life on the Dales, archaeology and memorabilia is better than many museums of larger towns.  We really enjoyed it and were lucky enough to visit when there was a special exhibition of paper cutting art, which we’ve never come across before, we were very impressed.

Market Day in Skipton

The Whiskey Shop

The Whiskey Shop proved interesting for two reasons. Firstly the shop boasted 1200 wines and 900 whiskeys, making it a pleasure to wonder through and secondly a sign on the outside of the building which stated:

Near this place John Wesley preached to the inhabitants of Skipton 26^th June 1764.

Gargrave next.