A visit to Skipton for a few days at the end of June, provided the opportunity to take in a variety of locations including Skipton Castle, East Riddlesden Hall, Ripon Cathedral and also the impressive Brimham Rocks.
East Riddlesden Hall, near Keighley
While it is believed development of the site began in the 7th Century, with evidence of that including a fragment of a Saxon Cross found in the late 1950s, the current Hall dates from the 17th Century. It was bequeathed to the National Trust in 1934.
Skipton
Ripon Cathedral
Dating from 7th Century, within its walls can be seen evidence of that history. The crypt, dating from AD 672, in Anglo Saxon times, is attributed to St. Wilfrid.
The Misericords in the Quire are particularly worthy of note. Although more often associated with Oxford, Charles Dodgson, who adopted the name Lewis Carroll as a writer, has strong links with Ripon. When he was twenty, Charles' father took up the role of Canon of Ripon Cathedral. Charles' awareness of the finely carved Misericords provided him with ideas for a number of the characters found in "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland". One example is a gryphon chasing a rabbit down a rabbit hole. This is believed to have been the inspiration for the opening chapter when Alice decides to follow the "white rabbit with pink eyes".
Contrasting with the stained glass in the East Window, the Cathedral houses a contemporary altar screen and a recently made Madonna and Child sculpture.
Brimham Rocks
Overseen by the National Trust, Brimham Rocks is a popular location. With the effects of erosion over millions of years, many of the existing rock formations have been named accordingly, having titles such as Anvil, Dancing Bear, and the Druid's Writing Table.
