Motorhome Hire in Skipton

Skipton is known as the Gateway to the Dales, and for good reason. This handsome market town sits at the southern entrance to the Yorkshire Dales National Park, where the broad Aire Valley begins to narrow and climb into the limestone hills beyond. At approximately 50 minutes from our Pontefract depot, it is an easy collection for motorhome travellers heading into some of the finest scenery in England.

Skipton Castle is one of the best-preserved medieval castles in the country. Built in 1090, it withstood a three-year siege during the Civil War and was later restored by Lady Anne Clifford. The castle is privately owned and open to visitors year-round, with remarkably complete rooms, a beautiful inner courtyard with a yew tree planted by Lady Anne herself, and views from the battlements across the town and the surrounding hills.

The high street, one of the widest in Yorkshire, hosts a market four days a week, on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. The market has been running for over 800 years, and the stalls selling everything from local cheese and fresh produce to clothing and household goods give the town a genuine sense of life and bustle. The Leeds and Liverpool Canal runs through the centre of Skipton, and a walk along the towpath from the town basin is a peaceful way to begin or end a visit.

Skipton Woods, managed by the Woodland Trust, lie just behind the castle and provide a lovely short walk through ancient semi-natural woodland along the banks of Eller Beck. The woods are carpeted with bluebells in spring and offer a quick escape from the town into genuine countryside.

The real draw of Skipton for motorhome travellers is its position as a base for the Yorkshire Dales. Bolton Abbey, with its ruined Augustinian priory on the banks of the River Wharfe, is just six miles to the north. The Strid, a narrow chasm through which the river forces itself with tremendous power, is a short walk upstream from the abbey. Grassington, the unofficial capital of Upper Wharfedale, is 15 miles north and offers excellent walking, charming stone cottages, and a lively community with regular festivals and events.

Heading north-west from Skipton, the road climbs through Gargrave and into the heart of the Dales. Malham, with its spectacular cove, limestone pavement, and Gordale Scar, is around 12 miles away. The Three Peaks of Ingleborough, Whernside, and Pen-y-ghent are all within striking distance, as is the magnificent Ribblehead Viaduct on the Settle-Carlisle Railway. The town of Settle itself, just 17 miles from Skipton, is the starting point for one of the most scenic railway journeys in Britain.

From our Pontefract depot, the drive to Skipton follows the A1(M) north before heading west on the A59 through Bradford and the Aire Valley. The route takes you through increasingly attractive countryside, and by the time you reach Skipton, the Dales are already visible on the horizon. There are excellent campsites throughout the area, from riverside pitches in Wharfedale to hilltop sites with panoramic views across the moors.