Malham to Skipton

In the morning myself and some other guests were driven into Skipton, 8 miles away. Most were getting trains to the south of England or to an airport to fly to the Netherlands. I plan to spend the next two nights in this scenic village, rather than go home to Northern Ireland, where there are bonfires everywhere marking the Battle of the Boyne. The first thing I did was tour Skipton Castle. Note the arched windows in the top of the tower. The next photo is looking at the gate lodge from those windows.

This medieval castle was built in the 11th century and was the last Royalist stronghold in northern England during the English Civil War. After a three-year siege, a surrender was negotiated with Oliver Cromwell in 1645, sparing the castle. The Battle of the Boyne was 55 years later, as the tensions between Royalists and parliamentarians continued.

Skipton sits on the Leeds-Liverpool canal. I tried to get on a canal boat tour but I was the only passenger and the pilot clearly was ready for his pint. Instead I sat and chatted for a long time to a lovely couple from Hull who are thinking of retiring to Skipton.

Next to the castle is the Castle Pub, where I had an amazing meal. Skipton seems to have more butchers per capita than is the norm. I saw a pub advertise a one-pound steak and kidney pie. Yech. But at the Castle Pub I was treated to a mushroom and onion pie done in a Guinness gravy. Absolutely amazing.

I walked a few miles along the canal to work that off then retired to my B&B, which had won a TV contest called Four in a Bed. The format is four hoteliers visit each other's establishments and rate them on food/cleanliness, etc. Mine won in May of this year.

12 July