Skipton

Skipton is a market town and civil parish in North Yorkshire, England. It is located on the River Aire and the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, just south of the Yorkshire Dales. The town is about 27 miles northwest of Leeds and 38 miles west of York.

In the 2021 Census, Skipton had a population of 15,042 people. It is known as one of the best and happiest places to live in the UK. Historically, it was part of the East Division of Staincliffe Wapentake in the West Riding of Yorkshire.

History

Main article: History of Skipton

People lived in the Skipton area a very long time ago. There are special rocks on Skipton Moor and an old settlement from the Iron Age. The name Skipton means 'sheep-town.' It was written about in an old book called the Domesday Book from 1086. During big wars, Skipton was an important place.

Skipton Castle was built in 1090. It started as a wooden fort and later got stronger with stone walls. This castle helped Skipton grow into a busy town. One of the oldest mills, High Corn Mill, has been working since 1310. Skipton became known for trading sheep and wool. In the 1800s, it became a mill town with canals. Later, Skipton became a popular place for tourists because of its old buildings and nearby countryside.

Skipton is twinned with Simbach in Bavaria and Erquinghem-Lys in France.

Governance

Skipton is part of the parliamentary constituency of Skipton and Ripon. Since 1983, the area has always chosen a Conservative Member of Parliament. As of 2024, the current MP is Sir Julian Smith.

From 1974 to 2023, Skipton was part of Craven District. In 2023, this district became North Yorkshire Council. Skipton has its own town council with 16 councillors. Each year, they elect a town mayor. For 2024, the mayor was Councillor Mrs Sheila Bentley.

Economy

Skipton is called the 'Gateway to the Dales' because it is close to the beautiful Yorkshire Dales. Many visitors come to the town, especially on market days, to explore its shops and enjoy its charm. The wide high street, which used to host a sheep market, now has a general market.

The town has many hotels, holiday companies, and independent holiday lets. It is also home to several recruitment agencies, environmental and engineering consultancies, and financial and legal services. Skipton is a popular place for people who commute to cities like Leeds, Bradford, and London by train. One of the town's bigger employers is the Skipton Building Society, along with its subsidiary companies.

Chocolatier Whitakers, based in the town, was started in 1889 in nearby Cross Hills. Ida Whitaker began making chocolates there in 1903.

Culture and community

In 2014, The Sunday Times named Skipton the best place to live in Britain. In 2017, a study found that people around Skipton were very happy and had low anxiety. In 2018 and again in 2024, The Sunday Times included Skipton on their lists of the best places to live.

Skipton holds many special events each year. 'Skipton Sheep Day' happens every July and includes a petting zoo, shows, and food stalls. The annual gala in June features a parade with floats, a marching band, and classic cars, ending with music, fireworks, and stalls at Aireville Park. The town also has a Christmas market with entertainment and lights, and a Skipton Car Show in June with many classic cars.

Skipton has places for music, theatre, and art. The Skipton Town Hall offers shows and markets. There are two theatres: The Mart Theatre and Skipton Little Theatre. Craven Arts runs an arts centre called 'Craven Arts House' with rooms for artists and workshops. The town also has a public library, three bookshops, and many places to eat, including about 85 public houses, cafés, and restaurants. There is also an independent Plaza Cinema showing many types of films.

Transport

Railway

Skipton railway station is managed by Northern Trains. Trains on the Airedale Line go to Keighley, Bradford Forster Square, and Leeds. Trains going north go to Lancaster, Morecambe, Settle, and Carlisle. The trip to Carlisle goes on the Settle-Carlisle line and passes the Ribblehead Viaduct. London North Eastern Railway has a daily train to London King's Cross through Leeds.

Buses

Skipton bus station was rebuilt in 2009 to help people travel. Buses go to Burnley, Clitheroe, Grassington, Harrogate, Ilkley, Keighley, Malham, Preston, and Settle. Bus companies like Stagecoach Merseyside & South Lancashire, Harrogate Bus Company, Keighley Bus Company, Lonsdale Buses, and North Yorkshire Council run these buses.

Roads

Skipton is close to where the A65 road and A59 meet. The A65 goes from Leeds to the Lake District, and the A59 goes from York to Liverpool. Part of the road around Skipton opened in 1981, and the rest opened in 1982. This made trips to the Dales faster. The M65 motorway points toward Skipton from Burnley but ends at Colne. From there, the road continues as the A56 until it meets the A59.

Water

The Leeds and Liverpool Canal runs through Skipton. Many visitors like to walk along or rent boats on the canal.

Education

Skipton has several schools for children. Young students can go to different primary schools, including community schools, a Roman Catholic school, and Church of England schools.

Older students can attend The Skipton Academy for ages 11 to 16. There are also two special schools, Ermysted's Grammar School for boys and Skipton Girls' High School for girls. These schools choose students based on tests and do well in their studies. Craven College, which offers more advanced learning, is next to The Skipton Academy.

Sport

Skipton has many sports clubs, like Skipton Town A.F.C., Skipton Juniors F.C., and cricket clubs. There are also clubs for cycling, swimming, athletics, karate, taekwondo, triathlon, rugby, and golf. The town has a sports centre with football pitches and squash courts. There is a tennis club, gyms, a public swimming pool, a skatepark, and a pump track. Every week, Skipton has a free Parkrun event in Aireville Park.

In 2014, the Tour de France went through the town.

Notable people

Skipton is the birthplace of many interesting people. The philosopher Henry Sidgwick was born there in 1838. Thomas Spencer, who helped start the store chain Marks & Spencer, was born in Skipton in 1858.

Two politicians were from Skipton: Iain Macleod, who served in the government, and Joan Humble, who was a member of the parliament. The poet Blake Morrison and the actress Elaine Glover were also born in Skipton.