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Skipton

Skipton is an attractive market town serving a large rural area.

It is situated in the Aire gap separating the Craven limestone Dales to the north, the gritstone moors to the south, and the pastoral Ribble valley to the west. Just outside the Yorkshire Dales National Park boundary, Skipton prides itself on being 'The Gateway to the Dales'. Its name comes from the Saxon word for sheep - 'sheep town'.

Settled by sheep farmers as long ago as the 7th century, Skipton was granted to the de Romille family in 1066. Their building of a fortress castle led to a regular market being established for local produce and trade, which continues to the present day, whilst seasonal Fairs brought traders into town from further afield. The market was granted its charter by King John in 1204.

From the castle and nearby Holy Trinity Church the town grew around the market place, expanding along what is now High Street, with coaching inns, yards, and craftsmens' workshops. The Town Hall in Skipton holds regular craft fairs and special events and also houses a local history museum, Craven Museum & Gallery.

Skipton Little Theatre is located near the town centre. The Mart Theatre is an unusual and unique venue. Opening in October 2005 with funding from the European Regional Development Fund, Yorkshire Forward, Craven District Council and the Arts Council England, it provides a unique rural theatre, events and other facilities within a functioning Auction Mart.
Skipton is twinned with the Bavarian town of Simbach. In May 2009 the town council decided to proceed with twinning with Erquinghem-Lys in France.

Skipton has many pubs, two nightclubs, and restaurants ranging from traditional fish and chips to high quality French cuisine, taking in modern British, Mexican, Indian, Greek, Chinese and Italian.