Askrigg has a street of grey stone buildings, many of them 3-storeyed, indicating that the market once created considerable prosperity. One such tall 18th century house, overlooking the old market place and bull ring, is Cringley House, known to followers of the James Herriot stories as Skelgate House, the home of the Darrowby vets. As Hawes grew in size at the head of Wensleydale in the 19th century, so Askrigg lost its importance as a commercial centre, and no market is held here now. However, the cobbled square at the centre of town, with its cross, stone pump and metal bull ring still attached to a stone flag, retains the busy atmosphere of a market-place. 