Sykes’s House

Sykes’s House in Main Street is the perfect village shop. Owned by Keith and Lisa Wright who moved to Askrigg in the summer of 2006, it’s difficult to imagine the village without it. Selling a wide range of groceries – including lots of specialised local produce – sweets, tobacco, wines, spirits, beers (oh yes, and newspapers and magazines and a dry-cleaning service) it is open every day of the year except Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day from 7.45am ’til 5.30pm Monday to Friday; 8.45am to 5.30pm Saturdays; and 9.00am to 4.00pm Sundays. In winter Sunday closing is 2.00pm.
There’s also a cafe within the shop where you can get the best scones you’ll ever taste – Lisa has won loads of awards – home-made sandwiches, soups, delicious cakes and a range of coffees and teas. As if this wasn’t enough work for two people, Lisa and Keith also run a superb B and B. And despite early-rising to sort the newspapers and feed their guests they are welcoming and cheerful even on the darkest winter mornings. The building itself has a fascinating history which they have started to document on their website which you can find here.

Lisa with her prize-winning scones