Renowned as one of the country's most picturesque spots, Skipton is visited by thousands of tourists every year. Sarah Foster finds out what it has to offer.

HISTORICALLY the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales, Skipton began life as a sheep farm and became a major trading post for livestock. Although a lot of water has passed under the bridge since then, it retains many of its roots, not least in the town's street names and regular bustling markets.

The journey to Skipton could not have been more pleasant. A brief car ride from the North-East and within easy reach of Harrogate, we made it on a glorious, sunny day. The scenery as we entered North Yorkshire was breathtaking. Surrounded on all sides by rolling hills, sparkling streams and cloudless skies, it seemed as if nature was putting on its finery to greet us.

On the Saturday of our visit, Skipton was teeming with activity, with stalls and people jostling for space in the market square. The range of goods was surprisingly diverse, with cut-price sports gear alongside farm produce. This gave the market a refreshingly ad-hoc appearance and made it seem as if it wasn't just there for the tourists.

It is impossible to enter Skipton without noticing the imposing structure of the castle, which towers over the market square, reminding people of the town's ancestry. Built by Robert Romille after the Norman Conquest, it retains some original parts and is an obvious draw for tourists. Equally attractive is the canal which encircles the castle and runs right through the centre of Skipton. Up until 1946, this was used to transport limestone from a quarry above the town, but is now home to colourful canal boats. If messing about on the river is your thing, you can go on a cruise along this picturesque stretch of the Leeds-Liverpool Canal, Britain's longest inland waterway.

One way of absorbing the traditional countryside feel of the area is to stay at the Devonshire Arms Country House Hotel, five miles east of Skipton. Built as a 17th century coaching inn, it is situated on the vast Bolton Abbey Estate. The hotel is owned by the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, who have taken great pains to give it the character of a real country home, even adding their own magnificent artworks. Each room in the original part of the hotel has been individually named and styled, and you really feel that care has been taken with every detail - even down to a rag rug made by a family member.

Dining in the Burlington restaurant is truly an experience, and one which requires a good couple of hours. Chef Michael Wignall and his team have devised an imaginative menu and each dish is beautifully presented. And with a choice of 1,300 wines, there's certain to be something to complement them all.

Walkers are kept more than amply occupied with the comprehensive network of routes on the estate, and one of the most pleasant is the riverside path to Bolton Abbey. Once home to the Black Canons, the abbey is now largely ruined, although the 13th century nave with its magnificent ceiling and stained glass windows still serves as the parish church.

If history and unspoiled natural beauty appeal, you couldn't ask for a better location.

TRAVELFACTS

The Devonshire Arms Country House Hotel (01756)718111, www.prideofbritainhotels.com

www.thedevonshirearms.co.uk

www.skiptonweb.com/tourist