Skipton

Skipton is a market town and civil parish in North Yorkshire, England. It lies 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

There is evidence that people lived in the Skipton area long ago, including special marked rocks on Skipton Moor and an old hilltop settlement from the Iron Age. The name Skipton means 'sheep-town' and comes from old English words for sheep and town. It was written about in a very old book called the Domesday Book from 1086. During big wars like the English Civil War and the World 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 make Skipton grow and become a busy town. One of the oldest mills in the area, High Corn Mill, has been working since 1310. Skipton became known for trading sheep and wool. In the 1800s, it became a mill town connected by 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, which was created in 1983. Since then, 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 was replaced by North Yorkshire Council. Skipton also has its own town council with 16 councillors, who elect a town mayor each year. 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, and animals are sold at the Auction Mart on the town's western edge.

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, learning from the wife of the vicar of Kildwick.

Culture and community

In 2014, The Sunday Times named Skipton the 'best place to live' in Britain. In 2017, a study found that the area around Skipton had the highest happiness and life satisfaction, with the lowest anxiety. In 2018 and again in 2024, The Sunday Times included Skipton in 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 electrified Airedale Line go regularly to Keighley, Bradford Forster Square, and Leeds. Trains going north connect to Lancaster, Morecambe, Settle, and Carlisle. The journey to Carlisle includes the beautiful Settle-Carlisle line, passing over the Ribblehead Viaduct. London North Eastern Railway runs a daily train to London King's Cross through Leeds.

Buses

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

Roads

Skipton is near where the A65 road and A59 meet. The A65 goes from Leeds to the Lake District, and the A59 goes from York to Liverpool. A part of the road around Skipton opened in 1981, and the rest opened in 1982. This made trips to the Dales much 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 enjoy walking along or renting boats on the canal.

Education

Skipton has several schools for children. For younger students, there are different types of primary schools, including community schools, a Roman Catholic school, and Church of England schools.

For older students, there is The Skipton Academy for ages 11 to 16. There are also two selective schools, Ermysted's Grammar School for boys and Skipton Girls' High School for girls. These schools choose students based on entrance exams and have done well in their studies. Craven College, which offers further education, is located next to The Skipton Academy.

Sport

Skipton has many sports clubs, including Skipton Town A.F.C., Skipton Juniors F.C., and several 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, a tennis club, gyms, a public swimming pool, a skatepark, and a pump track. Every week, Skipton hosts a free Parkrun event in Aireville Park.

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

Notable people

Skipton has been 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 came 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.