- UK Information
- Skipton Information
- Local Skipton history, ghosts, Calendar Girl country & Haworth, land of the Brontė's
In 2000 Skipton was awarded money from the Millennium Fund to set up a Millennium Walk around the town. By coincidence I had arrived in Skipton that week and, looking for something to do with my time, applied for the post of Millennium Walk guide. To win the job I had to learn the history of Skipton and, in a very short time, take a group of visitors on the walk and convince them I was a true-blue Skiptonian with a life-long knowledge of the town. So it began.
I am still available to take people on the Millennium Walk if they wish, but I've come a long, long way since those early days, and now my walks and tours are widespread. The following are all on offer to group travel and other organisations:-
The Skipton Experience
A block-busting guided tour through Skipton's illustrious history. Covers Richard III and Henry VIII influences on the town - historic buildings - myths & traditions - odd characters. This tour lasts approximately 90 mins. It can be combined with a meal at Bizzie Lizzies Fish Restaurant. For more details check out the Skipton Experience page.
Ghost Tours of Skipton
An extremely popular ghost walk. Phantom coaches - a glass-coffined boy - spectral faces at Skipton Castle - ghost dogs - witches ducking stool - strange characters - and the much-celebrated "Ghosts of Sheep Street." This tour lasts approximately 90 mins. It can be combined with a meal at Bizzie Lizzies Fish Restaurant. For more details check out the ghost page.
The Dark Side of Haworth
Visiting the site of the mysterious death of Lily Cove - uncovering the secret of the church tower - does Tom Mix really lie in Haworth? - a landlord's terrible revenge on his neighbours - the ghosts of Haworth Old Hall and much more. This tour last approximately 90 mins. It can be combined with a meal at Haworth Old Hall.
The Dark Side of Skipton.
An addition to existing Skipton Experience/Ghost Walks of Skipton tours: The Dark Side of Skipton guided walk compliments my third book The Dark Side of Town and visits two murder sites and several recently discovered haunted buildings, plus some more odd characters and "Off the Wall" history. This tour lasts approximately 90 mins. It can be combined with a meal at Bizzie Lizzies Fish Restaurant.
Hallowe'en Specials
Early evening Hallowe'en ghost walks specially devised for children and parents take place over the nights of 30th and 31st of October and 1st of November. These will take place at 7.00pm and last approximately 90 mins. A late-night adults-only Horror Walk will also take place in 2004. For details check out the Hallowe'en page.
Calendar Girl Country
Put together a true story, a true-to-life film that became a box-office smash, and one "in-the-know" guide. Throw in a luxury coach and what have you got? THE perfect way to spend an afternoon exploring an enthralling area a few miles north of Skipton fast becoming known as "Calendar Girls Country." This tour has everything: real-life locations - film locations - true anecdotes - even a guide who was in the film! Arrangements can also be made for refreshment-breaks at primary film locations.
All walking tours are priced at £3.00 per person and £1.50 children.
There will be a supplement for the late-night adults-only Horror Walk.
Article contributed by:
Malcolm Hanson
malcolm@skipex0.fsnet.co.uk