56-530: The Yorkshire Dales Railway was a branch line linking the town of Skipton with the villages of Rylstone , Threshfield and Grassington in North Yorkshire , England . There were two stations on the line – Grassington & Threshfield and Rylstone – and a connection via the Skipton to Ilkley Line to Skipton . The line closed to passengers in 1930, but is still in use up to Swinden Quarry for
112-447: A non-metropolitan district , and was home of the offices of Craven District Council. In 2007, proposals to make North Yorkshire County Council a unitary authority , removing the layer of government represented by Craven District, were rejected. However the council was eventually abolished in 2023, being replaced by North Yorkshire Council . Skipton has its own town council consisting of 16 councillors, formed by 4 members from each of
168-473: A business case for the project. The railway was also the filming location of an episode of Emmerdale (also a Yorkshire Television programme). In the episode, Embsay station was made to look like the fictional Hotten station. Many of the well-known characters from the show were at the filming. The episode was filmed in December 2004. Download coordinates as: The line runs through the countryside of
224-492: A community hall, green screen room and recording studio. The organisation also operates a small shop, on Otley Street, selling works from local artists. Skipton has a public library , and three bookshops ; an Oxfam bookshop , selling secondhand books for charity, Keogh's Books, a secondhand and antiquarian bookseller, and The Little Bookshop, sellers of new books. From 1979, the Box of Delights bookshop on Otley Street served
280-566: A newly constructed halt at Holywell and later to Stoneacre Loop. Bolton Abbey railway station finally reopened in 1998, bringing the current total of over 4 miles in length. As the original line stretched from the North Yorkshire market town of Skipton to the West Yorkshire spa town of Ilkley, there was talk of extending the re-opened track to cover the original extent prior to its closure by British Railways in 1965. Taking
336-470: A pipeline being laid to power the kilns with gas rather than coal. As the B6265 (Skipton to Grassington road) ran between the quarry works and the railway, movements across the road had become hazardous and the company paid for the road to be moved to the eastern side of the railway line. This was completed in 1973. The YDR remains a freight-only line used for carrying bulk trainloads of limestone aggregate from
392-401: A plan in 1979 to reopen the line as a preservation route. This plan went ahead and Embsay railway station was refurbished throughout the second half of the 1970s and reopened in 1981. To the west of Embsay station, a run-round loop for locomotives was built near the site of the former Embsay Junction, which was disconnected when the line closed. By 1987 further extensions brought the line to
448-546: A poor dependent village to a burgh administered by a reeve . The protection offered by Skipton Castle during the Middle Ages encouraged the urbanisation of the surrounding area, and during times of war and disorder the town attracted an influx of families. It is now one of the most complete and best preserved medieval castles in England and is open to the public. One of the oldest mills in North Yorkshire, High Corn Mill
504-671: A pump track. Skipton is host to a free weekly Parkrun event which takes place in Aireville Park. On 5 July 2014, the Tour de France Stage 1 from Leeds to Harrogate passed through the town. A number of notable people have been born in Skipton. The philosopher Henry Sidgwick was born in 1838. Thomas Spencer , the co-founder of Marks & Spencer , was born in Queen's Court in 1858. The American mathematician Thomas William Edmondson
560-448: A rebuild as they have been disused for a very long time. In 1982 there were plans to extend the line to Skipton, as a special DMU service was running at the time. Because British Rail still used the section between the two stations for its operations to Swinden Quarry (this section of the old branch line to Grassington was and is still part of the rail network), plans were dropped, stating that operating as far as Skipton whilst sharing
616-464: A report identifying the line which was listed as Priority 2 for reopening. Priority 2 is for those lines which require further development or a change in circumstances (such as housing developments). Skipton Skipton (also known as Skipton-in-Craven ) is a market town and civil parish in North Yorkshire , England. Historically in the East Division of Staincliffe Wapentake in
SECTION 10
#1732790753354672-601: A rugby union club and Skipton Golf Club , founded in 1893. The Coulthurst Craven Sports Centre is adjacent to the rugby club, with facilities including all-weather football pitches and squash courts. Skipton Tennis Club is also adjacent to the Sports Centre and has been awarded the LTA Club of the Year Award on several occasions. There are a number of gyms in the town, a public swimming pool, an outdoor skatepark and
728-523: A small mill town connected to the major cities by the Leeds and Liverpool Canal and its branch Thanet Canal , (known locally as 'Springs branch canal'). During the 20th century Skipton's economy shifted to tourism , aided by its historic architecture and proximity to the Yorkshire Dales . Skipton was the seat of Craven District Council from 1974 until April 2023. The Skipton Building Society
784-475: A varied programme, from arthouse movies to big releases from major studios. The cinema plays host to Skipton Film Club and the annual Hinterlands film festival . The town has four allotment sites. Three are operated by Skipton Town Council and include two large sites, one in the Middletown area and another on Broughton Road, alongside a smaller site at Burnside Chapel. A fourth independent allotment site
840-771: Is held annually in June and attracts thousands of spectators. The free show sees hundreds of classic, vintage rare and exotic vehicles exhibited on the town's closed high street. Police vehicles are also displayed alongside demonstrations from the town's fire service. Skipton Town Hall holds craft fairs and special events and houses the Craven Museum & Gallery as well as a tourist information centre. The town has two theatres . The Mart Theatre located in Craven Cattle Mart opened in October 2005 with funding from
896-481: Is located behind the town's Plaza Cinema. The local newspaper is the Craven Herald & Pioneer , with a history stretching back to 1853. Local news and television programmes are provided by BBC Yorkshire and ITV Yorkshire . Local radio stations are BBC Radio York , Greatest Hits Radio Yorkshire , Drystone Radio and Rombalds Radio. Skipton railway station is managed by Northern Trains and
952-399: Is powered by the waters of Eller Beck , and dates to 1310 when it was owned by Robert de Clifford, 1st Baron de Clifford ; at that point it was transferred to the powerful Clifford family by the then King Edward II . Skipton became a prosperous market town, trading sheep and woollen goods. A market stemming from its formative years still survives. In the 19th century, Skipton emerged as
1008-419: Is served by the following routes: Skipton bus station was rebuilt in 2009 and is the focal point for bus services throughout the local area. Key routes link the town with Clitheroe , Harrogate , Ilkley , Malham and Preston . Services are operated by Stagecoach Merseyside & South Lancashire , Harrogate Bus Company , Keighley Bus Company and North Yorkshire County Council . Skipton lies close to
1064-589: Is the nearest and largest town to a significant area of the Dales, it attracts numerous visitors, particularly on market days (Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday). Owing to the town's many independent shops and national chains, Skipton has received praise for its enduring individuality and character. In 2008, the Academy of Urbanism voted High Street the best shopping spot in Britain. The wide high street once hosted
1120-634: The European Regional Development Fund , Yorkshire Forward, Craven District Council and the Arts Council England. It provides rural theatre, events and other facilities. Skipton Little Theatre is a smaller 70-seater theatre located on Clifford Street and operated by a not-for-profit group. The theatre is the home of Skipton Players, the town's amateur dramatics society . Craven Arts is an organisation founded in 2017 by experienced local artists which supports
1176-538: The Network Rail branch line to Swinden Quarry (the former Yorkshire Dales Railway ), the points at this site having been dismantled. Re-instating this link would allow trains to serve Skipton station, and would potentially offer greater access to the railway. The platforms at Skipton (5 & 6) that served the Ilkley route were made redundant in 1965. If this link were reinstated these platforms would require
SECTION 20
#17327907533541232-578: The West Riding of Yorkshire , it is on the River Aire and the Leeds and Liverpool Canal to the south of the Yorkshire Dales . It is situated 27 miles (43 km) north-west of Leeds and 38 miles (61 km) west of York . At the 2021 Census , the population was 15,042. The town has been listed as one of the best and happiest places to live in the UK. Evidence for prehistoric habitation in
1288-571: The E&;BASR re-opened. The Skipton platforms at Ilkley station now form the station's car park, and there has been significant building development in Ilkley town centre on the former trackbed. Therefore, it is unlikely that this section will be reinstated as preserving the whole line between Ilkley and Skipton was considered too expensive. There is currently no link between the Heritage line and
1344-726: The Sheffield steel mills and had ceased by 1966 when the quarry was taken over by another company. Regular passenger services ceased on 22 September 1930, but freight and occasional excursion trains continued until 11 August 1969. The line was the last steam-worked branchline on the British Railways system, with steam finally giving way in the summer of 1968. After August 1969, the line was cut back to Swinden Quarry (9 miles 13 chains (14.7 km)) and it focussed strictly on sending out limestone. In 1970, new owners promoted an upsurge in rail-borne traffic which necessitated
1400-556: The Skipton area includes an "important outlying group" of cup and ring marked rocks on Skipton Moor, to the south-east of the town, and in the same area there is an enclosed Iron Age hilltop settlement. The name Skipton means 'sheep-town', a northern dialect form of Shipton . Its name derives from the Old English sceap (sheep) and tun (town or village). The name is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. The town
1456-446: The arts and operates centres in the town for exhibitions, events and creative workshops. In December 2022, with funding from Craven District Council, English Heritage , Heritage Action Zone , Arts Council England and Architectural Heritage Fund , Craven Arts renovated the former Parish Church school located on Otley Street and opened an arts centre. Named 'Craven Arts House', the centre provides studio space, classrooms, meeting rooms,
1512-526: The basis of the 2009 A level results, Ermysted's performed 13th best in the UK and SGHS was rated 42nd but, in 2011, it was rated at number 44. Craven College is sited next to The Skipton Academy. Skipton is home to Skipton Town A.F.C. ; Skipton Juniors F.C.; Skipton Cricket Club, Skipton Church Institute Cricket Club and Skipton Kashmir, all cricket clubs; Skipton Cycling Club; Skipton Swimming Club; Skipton Athletics Club; Skipton Karate Centre; Strike Taekwondo; Craven Energy Triathlon Club; Skipton R.F.C.,
1568-402: The edge of the embankment. These would be over the main road from the now defunct former station and goods depot. Funds would need to be collected for 10 to 15 years before any project of this extent could be realised. Much of the route between Addingham and Ilkley has been re-developed since abandonment. Cuttings have been filled in and Ilkley viaduct was demolished in 1973, six years before
1624-494: The first Baron Moran , was born in Skipton in 1882. The poet and author Blake Morrison was born in Skipton in 1950. The former Manchester City footballer Rick Holden was born in Skipton in 1964. The actress Elaine Glover , who appeared in Footballers' Wives and HolbyBlue , was born in Skipton in 1983. Former Lancashire and England cricketer and current head coach of Lancashire County Cricket Club, Glen Chapple
1680-523: The four wards within the parish boundaries, North, East, South and West. The council offices are based on the high street, upstairs in the Town Hall. The councillors elect a town mayor each year at an annual general meeting. For 2024 the town mayor is Councillor Mrs Sheila Bentley. The town is known as the 'Gateway to the Dales', because of its close proximity to the Yorkshire Dales. As Skipton
1736-401: The gala continued raising money for local charities and non-profit-making organisations. Skipton hosts a Christmas market during which the high street is closed to traffic and the regular market traders are joined by more than 50 additional stall holders. The event features entertainment, live music, a brass band, funfair and the switch-on of the town's Christmas lights . Skipton Car Show
Yorkshire Dales Railway - Misplaced Pages Continue
1792-889: The junction of the A65 road (from Leeds to the Lake District ) and the A59 (from York to Liverpool ). The northern section (A65 & A59) of the £16.4 million Skipton by-pass opened in December 1981; the rest of the 6 miles (10 km) route ( A629 ) opened in October 1982, greatly reducing journey times to the Dales. The Leeds and Liverpool Canal runs through Skipton and is a popular destination for tourists, with walking and boat hire. As well as The Skipton Academy (ages 11–16), there are two single-sex grammar schools : Ermysted's Grammar School for boys and Skipton Girls' High School (SGHS). Both schools are selective by entrance exam and have obtained comparable high A-Level scores. On
1848-500: The line northwards to Hawes , where it would meet the Wensleydale Railway . Those plans were never realised. There is only one significant engineering structure on the line; Haw Bank Tunnel (which lies under the A65 road and is 220 yards (200 m) long) which was built as part of the Skipton to Ilkley line. The line was single track from Embsay Junction throughout, however, the section from Skipton to Embsay Junction
1904-402: The line to Addingham and re-opening Addingham is often mentioned as a potential project but the line's owners have stated that they intend to consolidate the current route instead. An extension to Addingham would be a huge project, and would involve a near-doubling of the line's current length. Previous extensions have been built in small sections over a long period of time, so a re-opening of
1960-492: The line to Addingham would be many years off. Reports suggest Sustrans are interested in converting the route into a cycle path , but would provide formation space for a single track allowing any extension to be built. The Addingham extension could start off as an extension to a possible halt Wharfe Riverside located near the hamlet of Bolton Bridge ), before Addingham could be considered officially. The embankment supporting Addingham railway station, goods yard and depot
2016-476: The line with the goods operation was too problematic. Network Rail has carried out a survey for the reinstatement of the connecting points between the Heritage line at Embsay and the freight line to Rylstone , and the reinstatement of the two platforms 5 and 6 at Skipton. The cost has been estimated to be between £1.1 million and £2.6 million. If funding is made available, then the line could be extended. JMP Consulting has been commissioned to develop
2072-665: The nation's happiness and wellbeing by the ONS found Craven - which includes the town of Skipton - reported the highest levels of happiness and life satisfaction and the lowest levels of anxiety among residents. In 2018, the town was again listed in The Sunday Times , in their report on the 'Best Places to Live' in northern England. Additionally, the town was twice listed in the UK's top ten happiest places to live in Rightmove's 'Happy at Home Index' in 2020 and 2023. In 2024,
2128-480: The other service to pass. The loop was removed in 1937, as a result of, but some years after, the cessation of passenger workings. Passenger services on the line typically numbered seven a day in each direction, with one southbound working being split at Embsay Junction; the front portion of the train would go forward to Skipton, whilst the rear portion was coupled up to another locomotive, and would run east via Ilkley to Bradford Forster Square . Skirethorns Quarry,
2184-559: The quarry to terminals in Leeds, Hull, Birmingham and Wellingborough. The "Yorkshire Dales Railway" name survives as that of the trust that operates the Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway . The idea of full re-opening of the line to passengers, or an extension of the current Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway into Skipton, has been raised ever since the line's closure to passengers. In January 2019, Campaign for Better Transport released
2240-437: The railway are extensions of the line in both directions, eastwards to the West Yorkshire village of Addingham and southwest towards the North Yorkshire market town of Skipton . The rolling stock on the line consists of 20 ex-industrial locomotives, the oldest of which was built in 1908, three diesel-multiple units, and ten other diesel locomotives. The railway hold an annual gala Branchline Weekend. Embsay railway station
2296-495: The second Saturday of June. The gala begins with a procession through the town centre featuring decorated floats , a marching band and classic cars. The procession ends in Aireville Park with live music performances, a firework display and a variety of stalls. The gala was first held in 1901 to raise money for the Skipton and District Cottage Hospital, but following the formation of the National Health Service ,
Yorkshire Dales Railway - Misplaced Pages Continue
2352-538: The sheep market, but now a general market is held there and livestock is auctioned at the Auction Mart on the western edge of the town. The town is home to a number of hotels, holiday companies, cottage holiday firms and independent holiday lets. The town is the base for several recruitment agencies, environmental and engineering consultancies and financial and legal services. Skipton is a popular commuter town, with direct trains to Leeds, Bradford and London. One of
2408-526: The single-track line was opened to traffic on 29 July 1902. It was operated by the Midland Railway from the start. The station at Grassington & Threshfield was built 0.5 miles (0.8 km) short of Grassington itself, thereby saving the cost of having to cross the River Wharfe. The station was built as a through station despite being the line's terminus, because there were plans to extend
2464-415: The town for almost 40 years, before closing in 2018. Skipton has a hospitality sector, with around 85 public houses , cafés, coffee shops, bars and restaurants. These establishments serve a wide range of food and drink in various settings, from restaurants specialising in world cuisines to traditional Yorkshire pubs. The town is home to the independent Plaza Cinema on Sackville Street, a cinema showing
2520-481: The town was again judged by The Sunday Times as one of the best places to live in the UK. Events in Skipton include the annual heritage event 'Skipton Sheep Day' which takes place on the first Sunday in July and celebrates the town's association with sheep. The event takes place on the high street and features a petting zoo , educational shows and a variety of food and drink stalls. Skipton has an annual gala on
2576-402: The town's larger employers is Skipton Building Society , with its subsidiary companies. Chocolatier Whitakers, based in the town, was established in 1889 in nearby Cross Hills . Ida Whitaker began making chocolates there in 1903, taught by the wife of the vicar of Kildwick . In 2014, The Sunday Times judged Skipton as the 'best place to live' in Britain. In 2017, an annual study of
2632-561: The transport of aggregates. It is also known as the Grassington Branch . The railway company was authorised by act of Parliament, the Yorkshire Dales Railway (Skipton to Grassington) Act 1897 ( 60 & 61 Vict. c. cxcv), dated 6 August 1897 after several previous attempts to open a line to Grassington including one which would have driven eastwards from Gargrave . The first sod was cut on 7 June 1900 and
2688-685: Was born in 1869. Geoffrey Dawson , editor of The Times from 1912 to 1919 and from 1923 until 1941, was born in 1874. Two politicians were born in Skipton: the former Conservative MP and Chancellor of the Exchequer Iain Macleod in 1913, and the Labour MP Joan Humble in 1951. Former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill 's personal physician during the Second World War, Charles Wilson ,
2744-452: Was born in Skipton in 1974. Former England and Leicestershire cricketer, and current England national selector, James Whitaker was born in Skipton in 1962. [REDACTED] Media related to Skipton at Wikimedia Commons Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway The Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway (E&BASR) is a heritage railway in North Yorkshire , England, formed in 1979 and opened in 1981. The preserved railway
2800-454: Was built in 1888. Bolton Abbey village is named after the nearby 12th century Bolton Priory , belonging to the Dukes of Devonshire . The route was formerly part of the Midland Railway line that connected Skipton and Ilkley via Addingham . The line was shut down by British Railways in 1965 and was left to fall in disrepair. Around 14 years after closure, a group of volunteers put forward
2856-412: Was double track by virtue of the already existing Skipton to Ilkley line which was opened in 1888. A passing loop was installed at Rylstone when traffic from the quarries at Swinden and Skirethornes (the latter via the 2-mile (3.2 km) tramway at Threshfield) increased in number. The passing loop was actually north west of the station's one platform, so trains would have to wait outside the station for
SECTION 50
#17327907533542912-644: Was founded in the town. Skipton is twinned with the Bavarian town of Simbach and Erquinghem-Lys in France. Skipton is part of the parliamentary constituency of Skipton and Ripon , which was created in 1983. Since its creation, the constituency has returned a Conservative Member of Parliament (MP). As of 2024 , the seat is held by Julian Smith , a former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland . Before 1983 Skipton had its own eponymous constituency . From 1974 to 2023 Skipton formed part of Craven District,
2968-578: Was important during the English Civil War , and was the site of prisoner-of-war camps during the First and Second World Wars. Skipton Castle was built in 1090 as a wooden motte-and-bailey by Robert de Romille , a Norman baron . In the 12th century William le Gros strengthened it with a stone keep to repel attacks from the Kingdom of Scotland to the north, the castle elevated Skipton from
3024-538: Was operated by John Delaney and was 1 mile (2 km) north west of Grassington station. Connection to the end of the YDR was by a small exchange siding and a 2 feet 6 inches (0.76 m) gauge rope-hauled tramway. The exchange siding was just east of the main road through Threshfield, and the tramway extended to Skirethorns underneath the Grassington and Kettlewell roads. Traffic consisted of lime being taken to
3080-427: Was part of the former Midland Railway route from Skipton to Ilkley which was closed down by British Railways in 1965 over 15 years before the reopening of part of the line. The E&BASR currently runs for a total distance of 4 miles (6 km) from Embsay via Draughton Sidings , Holywell and Stoneacre Loop to Bolton Abbey station and carries around 100,000 passengers a year. The long-term objectives of
3136-478: Was removed and replaced in the 1980s with a housing development, with the bridge and abutments over the main road demolished at around the same time. There are plans to rebuild one of the bridge abutments at the end of the surviving embankment to the north as part of the Addingham Project which also involves constructing a replica LMS style station, goods yard and depot on the extra land next to and at
#353646