This is the small Yorkshire market town that looks set for a surge in tourism
- UK Hidden Gems
- 17 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Known as the “Gateway to the Dales”, this charming storybook town could soon see a surge in visitors, all thanks to one major reason.
A small Yorkshire town already has plenty to offer, from its 900 year old medieval castle to its ancient woodland filled with bluebells and kingfishers.
But the beautiful town is now set to become a key filming location for the eagerly awaited Harry Potter TV series, which is expected to be released in 2027.
The news was shared on a Harry Potter fan page called Harry Potter & Fantastic Beasts Fan Magic.
A trip to Skipton would not be complete without browsing the quirky four day market held on the cobbled high street.
First approved by a royal charter from King John, the market has been running since medieval times. These days you are more likely to leave with a warm scone or a wedge of local cheese than a sheep and a jug of mead.
If you visit, be sure to stop at Sarsaparilla’s, Skipton’s oldest retro sweet shop, which offers shelves of classic sweets served straight from the jar.
Hidden just behind the castle is a rare ancient woodland known as Skipton Castle Woods. Here you can wander past willow sculptures, streams, wildflowers, deer and even the odd bat.
For those wanting to stay a little longer, there are plenty of cosy places near the town centre where you can settle in for a night or two.
One visitor who toured the castle said they found it “one of the best preserved and prettiest”, adding that “the surroundings are beautiful in autumn with the colours of the trees”.
And when it comes to the market, another traveller praised a cheese stall with a “wonderful selection”, explaining that “there is a fresh scone stall beside it and they are gorgeous – so fresh, baked each morning, no wonder they’re sold out by 11am”.
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As with anywhere outdoors, kindly keep these areas pristine and wild by taking all trash with you. The amount of complaints we have seen since the pandemic is crazy. It's really not that hard to take your rubbish with you!
Litter tends to spread, so if you see any and are able to pick it up and dispose of it outside the hidden gem, it will help keep the area tidy.
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