Holy Trinity Church — Attraction in Embsay with Eastby

A Visit to Holy Trinity, Skipton

This morning we slipped across the border into Yorkshire, following winding country lanes that seemed to glow with autumn’s colours. The hedgerows were ablaze with muted reds, burnt oranges, and golden yellows, softened by fields still clinging to green. It was one of those drives that makes you want to roll the window down and breathe it all in.

Skipton was buzzing when we arrived. The market stretched along both sides of the high street, stalls piled with everything from fruit and cheeses to hand-knitted scarves. After a slow wander through the shops, our eyes were inevitably drawn to Holy Trinity Church, standing gracefully at the top of the street, framed against the backdrop of Skipton Castle.

We crossed the road for a closer look. Inside, the first thing I noticed were the stone flagstones, worn smooth by generations of footsteps. There’s something deeply grounding about standing on the same stones that countless others have walked across over the past 800 years.

The story of Holy Trinity is bound tightly to the town’s history. The first church here was probably wooden, built in the 12th century. The stone church that stands today grew from the 13th century onwards. It hasn’t had an easy journey—during the Civil War in 1645, cannon fire aimed at the nearby castle left its mark. You can still see scars on some of the pillars, thought to be from the time when Parliamentary soldiers even tethered their horses inside.

Salvation for the church came in the form of Lady Anne Clifford. Once she regained her inheritance, she poured her resources into repairs, rebuilding the tower and recovering the five bells that had been stolen. Her initials, A.P. for Anne Pembroke, still gleam in the stained glass windows she commissioned. Near the altar lie the Clifford tombs, which she had lovingly restored in 1654. I was struck by the way her determination is etched not just in stone but in the very spirit of the place.

Wandering further, I noticed the sedilia, three stone seats with pointed arches, carved into the south wall in the 14th century. They once supported priests during High Mass, and one may even have been used to wash communion vessels. It was humbling to think of the generations of clergy and worshippers who have passed through here, leaving behind traces of their devotion.

And then there are the details that capture the heart: the stained glass windows, glowing like jewels as the early afternoon light filtered through; the tombstones set into the floor, their inscriptions softened by centuries of footsteps; and the stillness that seemed to hold all those stories together.

Before leaving, we discovered that Holy Trinity has a welcoming café, tucked inside and run by volunteers. It felt perfectly fitting, a church that has stood through wars, weather, and centuries of change, now serving coffee and cakes to locals and visitors alike. History, faith, and community, all...

A beautiful parish church, dating from the early 14th century, right next door to the castle. I loved its atmosphere of tranquility and spirituality, enhanced by lovely church music, and the wealth of history all around. I was especially fascinated by the Anchorite's Cell where a hermit is believed to have lived, the Clifford family tombs and the stone seats where medieval priests once sat. Some wonderful stained glass windows and carved oak screen. There's a nice little play area for children, and a café and gift shop open Wednesday to Saturday. Some lovely flowers in the...

Holy Trinity stands at the top of the High Street, by the castle, in the beautiful market town of Skipton - the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales.

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It is the mother church of a parish which encompasses the delightful village of Draughton and the church of St Augustine.

Holy Trinity is an impressive church with significant history and architecture and an active and vibrant...