Skipton itself has much to offer visitors but what about for those that already live here? Skipton is a bustling hive of activity with something to suit everyone, so we’ve put together a list of what’s happening in and around Skipton.
The Mart Theatre: a cultural hub of comedy, music and live theatre performances!
You’d be hard pushed to find another venue like
The Mart Theatre in Skipton. It’s the only theatre in the world that resides in a working cattle auction mart! Their annual programme of events is a diverse mix of theatre, comedy, music, family events and student performances. They’ve played host to some big names such as Michael McIntyre, Sarah Millican, Toploader and Beverley Craven. Check out their website to see what’s on!
Skipton Castle Woods: beautiful scenery for a leisurely stroll – join a walking group if you want some company as you amble along!
If walking is your thing, then why not do it in one of the most photographed areas of Skipton, set alongside Skipton Castle,
Skipton Castle Woods is a stunning area of woodland, which has an intriguing history and offers a wide variety of amazing wildlife, including bats, deer and kingfishers. The Woodland Trust does a fantastic job of managing the woodland and put a lot of effort to make sure that the natural beauty of the wood is maintained. They also offer a range of events, including the ever-popular lantern walks which allow people to experience the woods in a unique way. There are a host of walking groups in the area that meet regularly for a gentle amble through the beautiful scenery.
Skipton Town Hall: home of the Yarndale Social, craft clubs, comedy nights and much more!
The
local town hall is the main hub of activities and host weekly groups such as the Yarndale Social where you can come and enjoy some knitting/crocheting and have a good old natter over a brew and a biscuit. They have regular comedy performances with big name performers such as Omid Djhalili and craft clubs for the children. They regularly put on a variety of ticketed events such as family film screenings, heart-warming plays, music concerts, seasonal craft fairs, gin festivals and fun tea dances. The town hall is located right at the top of the high street so you can pop into one of the local bars for a cheeky drink beforehand!
Craven Court Shopping Centre: home of independent boutiques and unique shops!
Craven Court is a beautiful small Victorian shopping arcade set over two floors. In here, you’ll find a wonderful selection of quirky independent shops alongside a few bigger names. There are also great tea rooms on the upper floor with lots of dining space on the balcony where you can tuck into homemade dishes whilst watching the shoppers below. A great little place for finding those unique gifts.
Skipton Market: a traditional treasure trove of trinkets and delights to discover!
If you like a bargain, love finding those treasures you don’t get on the high street, partial to some delicious local produce or just love the atmosphere of a market in full swing,
Skipton Market is for you. 4 days a week traders arrive in the town centre and set up stalls along each side of the wide High Street. And they bring with them everything from cheeses to scarves, local meat to arts & crafts, shoes & boots to Yorkshire made blankets. Each day varies, and there is a rotating set of traders, meaning no day is quite the same. On each market day, stalls are erected on the area of the High Street known as the “setts”. These are, in effect, cobbled areas between the formal footpaths and the main road. There are no fixed stalls. Traders bring their own – and they are built and dismantled at the start and the end of each market day.
Artisan Market – first Sunday of every month (Canal Basin)
Skipton’s
Artisan Market takes place on Sundays and provides a unique little shopping experience in one of the prettiest parts of the town. The market sees a host of local crafters and producers take over the Canal basin for a fantastic, community lead event organised by some of Skipton Markets top traders. There’s always something different on offer and there are often local musicians for you to enjoy whilst you peruse the stalls at leisure.
Music, Open Mic, Quiz nights: whether is a big night out or a regular local get together Skipton has a great social scene!
The Sound Bar is Skipton’s pub with a twist! As well as serving an excellent range of local ales, they also stock and display a vast collection of vinyl records and CDs, which are all available to purchase. Avid supporters of the local music scene, The Sound Bar host live performances every Sunday to showcase the area’s best music talent. Other local pubs such as
The Albion and The Fleece host regular quiz nights from music quizzes to general knowledge so gather a group of friends and put your wits together to see if you can win the honour of being Skipton’s Quizmasters! If quizzing isn’t quite your thing but singing is, there are regular karaoke nights so you can belt out your favourite tunes and let loose your inner Madonna and open mic nights showcasing the local talent.
Aireville Park: superb leisure facilities both indoor and outdoor!
A short distance from the canal towpath is
Aireville Park, which consists of 20 acres of parkland. Many years ago it was owned by the Dewhurst family, and was part of Aireville Estate. It is now managed by Craven District Council. As well as a multi-use games area for sports of all types, (which is used regularly for the local sports clubs) there is an 18-hole pitch and putt golf course, a swimming pool and fitness centre and an excellent children’s playground. The new wooden playground was added to the park just a couple of years ago and is full of exciting play equipment for children of all ages. There’s even a small zip line!
Skipton Castle: enjoy the sunshine and relive the past with historic reenactments and live shows!
Situated right in the heart of the town,
Skipton Castle plays a major role in the town’s bustling atmosphere. They host regular events throughout the summer. From reenactments of the Highway Man to sword school and medieval dancing and the ever-popular Tournee, these events are not to be missed! Check their website now to see what’s coming this Summer.
Skipton Now Festival: a wonderful celebration of all things Skipton, soak up the culture and heritage with all Skipton has to offer!
Skipton Now Festival is a celebration of the substantial investment being made into Skipton’s rich heritage and cultural activities. This month-long festival is a chance for the local community and visitors to Skipton to experience the amazing projects being delivered across the town as well as discovering more about the history of the Skipton and how it is being preserved for future generations.
Sheep Day: embrace local history and celebrate its most famous occupants – the sheep!
Skipton’s Anglo-Saxon name is “Sceap Tun” which translates, simply, to Sheep Town. The residents of Skipton embrace this title with their annual “
Sheep Day.” It’s one of the most anticipated events, despite being one of the most unusual days of the year for Skipton! The famous Sheep Show takes place at regular intervals throughout the day, showcasing various breeds of sheep, sheep shearing demonstrations and even sheep dancing. The whole town gets behind the event and there’s plenty on offer, including various animal-focused attractions like a petting zoo and even birds of prey encounters. It’s an unmissable event if you’re looking for a truly unique thing to do.
Yarndale: a woolly event not to be missed!
Taking place at the Mart Theatre in September,
YarnDale is a fantastic exhibition of some of the best knitting, crochet, spinning, dyeing and felting talent in the region. It’s a two-day event that hosts over 180 talented exhibitors who are passionate about sharing all things woolly. The show is designed to get everyone making, to share ideas, to inspire individual creativity with the chance to meet and chat with others from all over the country and beyond, get thoroughly enthused by new project possibilities and a fabulous range of yarny stuff, to celebrate all things handmade and generally get creative with yarn.
So, if you’re looking for your forever home in an area with a lively social scene, active community, and busy events calendar, then Skipton is the place for you! Take a look at our stunning homes in the
Ellerwood development, Skipton and
get in touch with our friendly team for more information.