Your Heritage
Skipton Castle Woods lie under the impressive ramparts of Skipton Castle. For nearly 1,000 years the woods have provided the castle with a ready supply of firewood, timber, fresh water and fish as well as being an important part of the larger hunting forest.
Close to the bustling market town of Skipton, the ‘Gateway to the Yorkshire Dales’, the 15 hectares of ancient woodland have also played a vital role in the town's development, providing quarry stone and also vital water supplies to power the local mills and fill the canals.
Now a very popular attraction in their own right, the woods are home to a wide variety of tree species as well as ancient woodland plants including carpets of bluebells and wild garlic. Notable birds including kingfishers and herons are seen regularly, along with the elusive roe deer.
The project provided surfaced paths and bridges, and created new on-site interpretation and educational resources. It enabled people to learn more about the heritage of Skipton Castle Woods and the associations with the castle and town, through a fascinating and engaging programme of activities for all ages.
It’s fantastic to see the thousands of visitors, local people and school children who, thanks to these improvements, can now enjoy and appreciate the ancient woodland that’s right on their doorstep.
Alistair Nash, Woodland Trust Site Manager (North England)
Alistair Nash, Site Manager (North England), explained: “Having grown up in Skipton, and known the woods all my life, it’s been an absolute privilege to be able to make such a difference to Skipton Castle Woods. The Woodland Trust has created leaflets, interpretation boards and much more – including the centrepiece bridge at the head of the woods with its splendid views along Eller Beck.
“It’s fantastic to see the thousands of visitors, local people and school children who, thanks to these improvements, can now enjoy and appreciate the ancient woodland that’s right on their doorstep.”