Jo’s Monday walk : Canalside in Skipton

IMG_1161

What drew me to Skipton, in the Yorkshire Dales, for our wedding anniversary?  Heaven knows, I’m no cricket fan (sorry, Freddie!)   Why boats, of course!  This little market town is at the heart of a network of canals where I could walk the towpaths to infinity. (well, Liverpool is 99 miles away- that’s infinity to my husband’s way of thinking, but then he’s a cricket lover)

Skipton sits on the River Aire and the Leeds-Liverpool canal.  Perfect for walking.  York is a mere 38 miles away.  Is that too ambitious?  It was only an overnight stay, so boundaries would definitely have to be set.

IMG_1023

In any case, the canal basin seemed like a good place to start.  I had an ancient town guide to hand and one of its recommends was a walk along Springs Canal.  This takes you around the back of Skipton Castle and promises fine views.  Unfortunately it was dull, verging on damp, at the time so my photos are much less splendid than I would have liked.

Continuing past an old sawmill, the walk weaves through Skipton Woods, a leafy stroll, and a favoured promenade since Victorian times.  It’s an atmospheric place, yet busy with dog walkers.  A circuit takes you past the Round Dam and parallel to the Long Dam, before climbing steps to follow the top edge of the wood, back into town via The Bailey.

At this point you might want to visit Skipton Castle.  Dating back to 1090, it is a wonderfully preserved Medieval castle, with an early Tudor courtyard.  I’ve visited the castle before, but not the neighbouring 14th century Holy Trinity Church.

IMG_1072

IMG_1088

Emerging onto the High Street, I found the market in full swing.  I hadn’t come to shop, but there was ample opportunity and I enjoyed the lively atmosphere.  More to my taste, the ‘ginnels’ and narrow alleyways linking many of the side streets.  I couldn’t resist a few brollies for Meg, but then it was time to eat.  And just to prove that I don’t only eat cake…

A saunter down delightfully cobbled Sheep Street offers plenty of choices.  The Three Sheep Tea Rooms has remarkably fine cake, and I can vouch for the pear and apple chutney.  Even though I managed to squidge some down my white trousers!  Time to get back to the canals.

IMG_1100

The day was brightening beautifully, and I crossed over Belmont Bridge to join the towpath of the Leeds-Liverpool canal.  Few things delight my heart more than a narrowboat.  Wreathed in smiles I set off, reveling in such beautiful surroundings.

There are all manner of diversions along the way.  Curious wildlife inspect the prowess of the boat crews.  “Hold steady while I take this selfie!”  “Watch out for those cows!”  Just when all is going smoothly, lock gates present a challenge.

IMG_1131

So much to love!  Smiling faces on board, and on the towpath.  Boat names.  Pretty gardens to admire.  A slow, peaceful way of life.

IMG_1151

All too soon I have to return to the canal basin, for one last linger.  Watching the canal boats depart for their half hour trips, I strike up a conversation with a couple, over a drink outside The Boat House.  They used to own a barge in Belgium, and are as enamoured with the narrowboats as I am. It obviously suited Freddie Trueman too.  He made his home in The Dales and the dynamic statue by Graham Ibbetson is a fine tribute.

IMG_1164

I hope you’ve enjoyed sharing my anniversary walk with me.  It’s been a pleasure to take you along.  Time now for my second cup of coffee!

walking logo

Many thanks to you all again for sharing and caring this week.  The weather’s been great and I’ve barely been indoors.  Got to make the most, don’t you?  I have some wonderful walks to share.  If you’d like to join in any time, it’s pretty easy.  Just click on the logo or take a look at my Jo’s Monday walk page.  You’ll be very welcome.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Who knew a walk round a pumping station could be so interesting?  Thanks a lot, Violet Sky!

High Level

Take a ride through some lovely countryside with Lady Lee?

Thekkady Jeep Safari

My good friend Leya is joining us with some real enchantment this week.  Please pay her a visit :

The Enchanted Monastery

In case you were in any doubt, Debbie shows us just how beautiful is Corsica :

Stroll around Ile Lavezzi

No place like Glasgow!  Just ask Anabel.  She knows!

Glasgow’s Clyde

Got to love Jackie’s energy!  Toronto is another good-looking city :

Summer in the City

Liesbet knows I love waterfalls.  They always make a walk worthwhile :

Hiking to Tannery Falls

You could say Drake is a black pearl.  What do you think?

A pearl without a hard shell

Laia reflects on life in beautiful Switzerland.  Wish I was there!

A walk along the Lake Leman

Please welcome Hanna to my walks.  She’ll show you a little of life in wonderful Copenhagen :

An Entertaining Stroll in The Citadel

I didn’t have Elaine down as a wicked temptress, did you?  But just look at the evidence!

A blustery afternoon in Largs

You couldn’t find a greater contrast than our Becky, in the Algarve.  Blue skies and beautiful wildflowers :

A stroll down memory lane, also known as PR5

Lovely Gilly has found  a calm and peaceful place this week.  Come with us and enjoy!

Buckfast Abbey

That’s it for another week.  It’s a Bank Holiday next Monday and I don’t hold out much hope for the weather.  I’ll still be here though. And smiling! Take care till then.

 

 

142 comments

  1. Yeah, one of my favourite towns in Yorkshire and spent many a happy Saturday there – as young to the local cinema where I first saw Start Wars! The canal pictures are great and captured beautifully, full of atmosphere. Love your mention of ‘ginnel’, I’m trying to keep the Yorkshire alive down south!

    Like

    Reply

    1. Good lass! I do keep trying to show the world there’s some good stuff ‘up north’. 🙂 🙂 Thank you! It’s a lovely little place, isn’t it? My memories were quite dim from my previous visit, years back.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  3. Hi Jo,
    Thanks for taking me on that walk. I’ve certainly enjoyed it. “Few things delight my heart more than a narrowboat”: I absolutely agree. It was a delight to see so many in your pictures.
    Have a great day,
    Pit

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    2. We saw so many lovely narrow boats on the broads on our way home from East Ruston, Pit. Having a pint on the waterside we all said, “Pit and Mary would have enjoyed this immensly!” 🙂
      Hugs from Cley,
      Dina xo

      Like

      Reply

  5. Well. I never knew that about Skipton. All I knew was that it had a Building Society. Now I shall have to pay a visit as you describe it so well and make it sound so interesting. Thank you for that.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  7. What a wonderful way to celebrate your anniversary, Jo. The canals are very atmospheric and picturesque. I would love a little tour on them and a few walks along them. Thanks to you and Stephanie, my curiosity to life on a narrow boat is growing! Those massive planters are great! When I grew up – and even now when I visit Belgium – I would walk to the river Schelde from our home to see the barges (on which people live) pass by. Maybe that’s where I picked up my sense of adventure?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. It’s always been a dream of mine to live on a narrowboat, Liesbet. I could be restless indefinitely! 🙂 🙂 We did have a lovely weekend, but unfortunately didn’t stay on a boat. Next time, maybe 🙂

      Like

      Reply

      1. Follow your dreams, Restless Jo! Get on a narrow boat! It will be interesting to follow Stephanie’s (SV Cambria) adventures once they start doing the narrow boat thing in England.

        Like

    1. We had a really brilliant weekend, Jill. 🙂 It could only have been bettered if we’d stayed on a narrowboat. Or maybe a little less rain? But there are people who’d be very grateful for a drop or two.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  12. Lovely walk in Skipton with you, Jo. Looks like the canal is still buzzing with life, and it must have been a delight to see the sawmill. Lovely glass stained in windows there in the church.

    Ooooh, you certainly do eat more than just cake. That looks like a ham and cheese baguette you had there, and some crisps? 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  13. What a wonderful anniversary trip you had, Jo! Thanks for my virtual walk, thoroughly enjoyed it. I did smirk when you said you were wreathed in smiles…it brought to mind a very dubious Rugby ditty…

    Like

    Reply

  14. Happy anniversary, Jo! Now that must have been a lovely walk…even if it wasn’t all the way to Liverpool! I wish I could have walked as well, Totti would have been a happy company to us. Thank you for letting me in to the virtual walk😊

    Like

    Reply

  15. I am guilty, like most southerners, we forget how beautiful the north is. The days of smoke stacks and mines have gone. this is a great reminder to us down south especially..

    Like

    Reply

    1. I felt welcome and the sun shone on me, now and then! 🙂 What more could I want? We stayed in The Unicorn which was wonderfully central, a nice refurb, and amazing breakfast. It was a last minute, last room available booking. I was in luck 🙂 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  17. Another fascinating walk, Jo. Canals, birds, stained-glass – all my cup of tea. I did think once of living on a boat on the Llangollen canal, but they tell me it’s very damp. Glad to see your anniversary went so well.

    Like

    Reply

    1. The nearest I’ve managed is a week on a static canal boat in Reading, Isabella! Not quite the same but I still loved it. It was years ago and I keep saying to Mick we must have a proper canal boat holiday. Glad you liked this. Happy (wet 😦 ) Monday!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  19. Very long while since I was in Skipton . . . . . what a wonderful Anniversary day you had and even blue skies by the end. What sort of day was it on the actual big day?!

    Like

    Reply

    1. It’s wonderfully quirky with lots of nice little side streets and a covered shopping centre with a glass roof, Debs. I do think you’d like it. And then there’s the boats! 🙂 🙂

      Like

      Reply

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.