Escape the hustle and bustle of the big city this festive season with an altogether more charming shopping experience and discover Craven Court, the stunning shopping arcade in the heart of Skipton, gateway to the Yorkshire Dales.
Just an hour’s drive from Manchester and easily accessible by train, Craven Court is home to 28 boutiques, featuring national brands such as Joules, Fat Face and H Samuel, to enchanting independent retailers stocked full of unique gifts, curiosities, jewellery, homewares, games, toys and fashion. Craven Court is even home to its own Cake’ole famous throughout the dales for its garish decor, hot brews and oversized wedges of every cake you can dream of.
Craven Court was originally developed and expanded from a 16th century theatre. The “court” was completed in 1988 and is based on a Victorian theme with stunning wrought iron work and glazed roof to keep out the chill of a Yorkshire winter. The original stone walls, uneven flagstone flooring, wonky shop fronts, tiny doors and narrow alleyways (just 10ft wide in places) are often likened to Diagon Alley or Hogsmead straight out of a Harry Potter movie. And speaking of Harry Potter, Craven Court is home to The Geek Side, a little shop packed to the rafters with everything a geek of film . tv and sci fi could ever wish for , including a huge range of Harry Potter merchandise.
The shops are not the usual run of mill high street names, explore the independent retailers like Silver Box, Dandelion, a delightful looking gift shop and old fashioned sweetie shop, Sweet Treats. Grab a table at Hemingway’s, the Tea Shop Café.
Step outside of Craven Court into Skipton High Street where the famous Skipton Christmas Markets will be taking place on December 12th from 9.30am. A fantastic festive day with 150 stall festive market stalls featuring some of the region’s favourite artisan makers, producers and crafters.
A festive music stage will also provide the perfect soundtrack with live music from Mark Gregory, Megan Slater, April Grimes, alongside Victorian Carol Singers, Skipton Brass, Barnoldswick Brass Band, The Accrington Pipe Band and Ermysteads Swing Band.
Festive food will also be in abundance with mulled wine, boozy hot chocolate, mince pies, hot roast chestnuts, German bratwurst, Bavarian schokokuss and plenty more.
Carols in the Holy Trinity church yard will also take place from 4pm led by Barnoldswick Brass Band.
Craven Court offers the ultimate shopping experience in a beautiful listed building, which is now an all weather arcade. A great selection of shops, an adjacent outdoor market and plenty of parking nearby makes it an ideal place to visit.
For more information, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/CravenCourtSkipton/
