Skipton - West Riding

Drill hall, Otley Street

3rd Volunteer Battalion of the Duke of Wellington's Regiment
6th Battalion from 1908 - HQ, A and B Companies

The Volunteer Drill Hall was built in 1892. The HQ, A and B Companies met in the Drill Hall in Otley Street. According to a piece in the Telegraph and Argus, January 17, 2002, the Territorial Army left its headquarters in Skipton in 19672). Apparently the building was vandalised in the following years.

The Skipton Town Council Yearbook reports:
‘1981 February 2nd – After many years of disuse, the former Volunteers’ Drill Hall on Otley Street was opened by Messrs. Willie Holt (Burnley) Ltd., as a Billiard and Snooker Hall together with office accommodation.’

Numerous local events are recorded in the Skipton Town Council Yearbook, 2005-6, such as a Coronation Dinner in 1902 and 1911, peace celebrations in 1919, including lunch for returning soldiers and sailors, and a Silver Jubilee Dinner in 1935. In 1981 it was opened as a billiard and snooker hall.

Apparently it has 2” thick pitch pine floorboards and glazed internal walls to dado level.

The Drill Hall is now mainly occupied by an architect practice and has been named Wellington House, presumably reflecting the name of the original regiment. Part of the premises are used by the local authority.

Thank you to a mamber of the Great War Forum for information about the internal appearance of the drill hall.






Skipton Drill Hall - Rear Elevation
Rear Elevation


Skipton Drill Hall - Otley Street Frontage
Otley Street Frontage
Skipton Drill Hall - Front & Side Elevations
Front & Side Elevations


Skipton Drill Hall - Front Elevation
Front Elevation


Skipton Drill Hall - 3
Detail of entrance


Skipton Drill Hall - 4
Inscription to arched first floor window over entrance.


Skipton Drill Hall - 5 - House attached to Drill Hall
House attached to Drill Hall


Skipton Drill Hall - Otley Street Frontage
Otley Street Frontage


Skipton Drill Hall - Otley Street Frontage
Otley Street Frontage
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the first attempt at content

The Drill Hall Project - Charting a neglected legacy