If you're looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city the day, then Skipton is just the place.
Just a thirty minute train ride away from Leeds you will find Skipton, a historical market town that oozes charm.
We've pulled together a handy little guide to help you have the best time possible in this lovely little town, from where to eat and what to visit - we've got you covered.
Morning
Once you've touched down in Skipton, grab a coffee from Clubhouse Coffee to get you fuelled up for the day before visiting all the historic sites. We're talking about, of course, the iconic Skipton Castle.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
If you've been here on a school trip already then you'll know just how brilliant it is, and if the weather is nice then you can have a stroll around the Skipton Castle Woods opposite.
After that take a stroll around the markets to see if you can bag yourself any bargains, it is a market town after all.
Afternoon
After all that sight seeing you'll be feeling peckish, and the only place for it is The Skipton Deli. Newly opened, this fantastic deli is serving up the most delicious focaccia sandwiches which you can take away and tuck into sat by the canal. They also sell loads of local produce that you can take home with you as a souvenir.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
If you're feeling up for it, why not go on a boat ride and do your best Rosie and Jim impression before treating yourself to a Yorkshire Dales Ice Cream or a cone of chips from Bizzy Lizzy's. Go on, you deserve it.
If you need an afternoon pick me up and you've got your pup with you then Kibbles is a must. This doggy-friendly cafe even have their own doggy food menu, how class is that?
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Evening
Before you head off back home, make sure to pop into one of Skipton's lovely pubs along the cobbled streets. There's so many to choose from and trust us, you won't be disappointed by any one you stumble into.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
If you're looking for an evening meal we highly recommend Phoebe's, this independent eatery are serving food and drink all day and it's all absolutely divine.
A beloved Sheffield bookshop is back but this time, there's booze.
You may remember back in January when Novel sadly had to close its doors due to circumstances beyond the team’s control.
Since opening in Crookes in 2024, co-owner Katie and the team had experienced ongoing intimidation and harassment, eventually leading to the decision to close the much-loved bookshop and bar indefinitely.
It was a heartbreaking turn of events for a business that had quickly become a much-loved part of the Crookes community.
Images: The Sheff
At the time, it felt like it might be the end of Novel but thankfully, it wasn't. Because Novel is back - but not quite as you might remember it.
Introducing Proof, your new bookshop/cafe/wine/beer bar.
It's basically everything we love in this world rolled into one, and we're big fans of it along with the rest of Crookes.
Of course the book selection is just as brilliant as it was at Novel, with shelves stacked with some of the hottest books around, all hand-picked by Kate, so you know you’re in safe hands when it comes to the reading recommendations.
Images: The Sheff
Great coffee is on hand courtesy of Cloud so you can settle in for a brew and a browse, but if that won't quite cut it they've also got a selection of natural wines and beer on offer. Genuinely, what more could you want?
Just grab a brew, pick up a book and settle in for a while. Is this one of the coolest new openings to hit Crookes? We reckon so.
They're open Fridays and Saturdays 12 - 10:30pm, so make sure you swing by and welcome Proof back to Crookes.
The 42-year-old Kirkgate Market stall serving freshly shucked oysters for £1.90 a pop
Clementine Hall
Tucked away in Leeds Kirkgate Market you'll find a wonderful seafood stall selling freshly shucked oysters for £1.90 each.
It's places like these that remind us why we love Leeds so much.
Established in 1880, Hayes Seafood is widely regarded as the oldest trader within the historic Kirkgate Market.
For the past 42 years, it has been run by Cliff and Michelle, the loveliest couple who welcome every customer with open arms.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The menu here is small but perfectly formed, focusing on fresh, ready-to-eat seafood that you can enjoy with a squeeze of lemon and a dollop of mayonnaise at most.
Delivered fresh every morning, there's pre-cracked crab shells, brown and white crab meat, cockles, crawfish tails - all perfectly prepared for you to eat at their bar or high tables opposite.
But, it's the oysters that you'll see people queueing for. And rightly so.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Everything here is prepared to order right in front of you, and for no extra fee. You can choose from two types of oysters: super salty Lindisfarne oysters or the slightly sweeter English Loch Fyne.
We recommend having a couple of each, pulling up a stool right by the counter and getting stuck in. If you ask Cliff nicely, he might tell you a bit about the history of the place - but you may have to order a couple more oysters for that.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
You're left to dress them yourself, whether you prefer dash of fiery tabasco or a few pickled shallots. But to be honest, they're delicious just as they come.
This spot is a real piece of Leeds history, and the queues at lunchtime as well as the repeat regular customers proves just how special it is.
All it's missing is a champagne stall next to it...now wouldn't that be perfect?
Clementine Hall -
31st October 2025 
