Skipton is a pretty, and lively town on the southern edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. It’s the kind of town that regularly appears in lists of the best places to live, with the spectacular location, and rich cultural offering always being mentioned. Our Gurus’ recommendations for the best places to stay in Skipton offer a lovely blend of charm, comfort, views, and great food — whether we’re talking about B&Bs, pubs-with-rooms or fancy country house hotels!

Skipton grew from the sheep’s back, as they say — it has been a huge centre for sheep farming since the Anglo Saxons — and it still hosts regular market days on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturdays. Skipton’s architecture has well-to-do appeal, and it is on the route of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

There’s plenty to see and do in the town itself too. The medieval castle is probably the obvious highlight. Skipton also has one of Yorkshire’s oldest mills, a very good local museum, and a theatre. Plus a vibrant high street with independent shops and a good range of cafes, bars and restaurants. The best places to stay in Skipton are busiest in summer, and around Christmas, when people visit for Skipton’s hugely popular Christmas Market. As the ‘Gateway to the Yorkshire Dales’, the town is also a popular base for walkers and cyclists.

The Best Places to Stay in Skipton

Country House Hotels

• The Devonshire Arms Country House Hotel and Spa was once a coaching inn on the Duke of Devonshire’s Bolton Abbey Estate, but is now a 40 room country house hotel, with a very nice spa, set in lush green parklands and gardens. Its 40 rooms and suites are beautifully decorated in a range of country chic styles and colours. Each room has been individually designed — there are a couple with four-poster beds, and some lovely antiques. The excellent restaurant has 3 AA Rosettes.
• The Devonshire Fell Hotel is the Devonshire Arms’ more casual little sister — a Victorian-built, 16 room hotel with great family suites, vibrant, colourful decor and spectacular views of the surrounding Fells. There are great walks right from the hotel door, and you’re only about ten minutes drive from Bolton Abbey, and pretty Grassington. Guests also have access to the spa facilities at The Devonshire Arms.

For foodies

• The Angel Inn is a cosy, former crofter’s cottage turned pub-with-rooms, right in the Yorkshire Dales. There are just five rooms and four suites — all comfortable and modern and quite a juxtaposition with the quaint, traditional pub with its nooks and crannies. The Angel's chef has been dubbed the "Godfather of the Gastropub", so it's no surprise that you'll find Michelin starred dining here!

Prefer a Private Apartment or Cottage?

• If you'd prefer the privacy of a self-catering option then browse through the wide variety available online with our partner, Booking.com.

Travel Information

• Want to fly to Skipton?

• Skipton’s railway station is connected to Leeds, Bradford, Carlisle, Lancaster and Morecambe. You can reach Skipton in just a little over three hours from London, if you time your change in Leeds right. Trains leave from London Kings Cross. If you’re travelling towards Skipton by air, the closest airport is Leeds Bradford Airport, which is only half an hour away by car or taxi, or just over an hour by public transport.
• If you want to hire a car we recommend you visit our online partner, Rentalcars.
• If you’re hoping for nice weather the best time of year to visit Skipton and the Yorkshire Dales is summer, when it’s sunny, dry and temperatures get into the low 20°Cs. However, like the rest of the UK, there’s a chance of rain whenever you travel. Skipton hosts events and festivals throughout the year, with the highlights being Skipton Sheep Day in July, and the Skipton Christmas Market — which regularly appears on lists of the UK’s best Christmas Markets.

Still not sure where to stay?

• Expand your search to include all of the best places to stay in Yorkshire or the Yorkshire Dales National Park
• Refine your search by the kind of accommodation you’re looking for and consider just the best Pubs-with-Rooms in Yorkshire, great family friendly hotels in Yorkshire or the best hotels in rural Yorkshire
• Consider some of Skipton’s neighbours like Kirkby Lonsdale and Richmond
• Or you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.

Weather

Monthly Weather in Skipton