retiredmartin

April 2026. Skipton.

Last week we went to Skipton again. Three (3) reasons; a re-opened GBG new entry to tick, a blog post series idea to explore, and a pork pie to audit.

In 2022 I had declared Stanforths the best pork pie in England,

but a recent change of ownership (if not name) had seen a string of scathing reviews.

I clearly needed to investigate.

But first…

Yes, we took the direct, 90 minute train, and didn’t notice our Skipton stop. I bought that £2.50 single at Gargrave, choosing not to tell ChatGPT the “business” I’d visited that village for in 2022.

Back in Skipton, with a barely audible station announcement, we’re greeted with one of the UK’s few remaining “Town map for a quid” machines.

Which makes sense, as Skipton’s tourism is largely boomers who can’t hold a mobile phone and navigate their way round a town of 15,042 souls by Google Maps.

Mrs RM doubted my assertion about the buoyant tourist trade,

despite a pleasing arrival over the canal.

I mean, it’s all a bit chain shop.

We start at the town hall with its shiny museum and art gallery.

Press PLAY to see the prime exhibit.

A bit high brow for some, I reckon.

Rather than “elucidating these juxtapositions”, we headed for the pubs,

and the pork pie shop by the canal.

Stanforths isn’t busy, and the pies are up from £1.30 to £2 in four years, but I’m going to go against the grain here. This is still a great pork pie, a vast blob of chewy meat with just enough gravy. NPSS 4, but that’ll do.

Yorkshire folk just don’t like change, do they ?