Knaresborough is a picturesque market town in North Yorkshire, England, four miles east of Harrogate. The town is bounded to the west by the deep gorge of the River Nidd, with a railway viaduct vaulting over.
The Tourist Information Centre is on Market Place HG5 8AG, near the castle. In summer it's open M-W F 10AM-5PM, Th Sa 10AM-1PM.
- Knaresborough Castle, Castle Yard HG5 8AS. Daily 11:00-16:00. This is where you flee to if you've just assassinated Archbishop Thomas Becket. The castle was built by the Normans circa 1100, but its royal heyday was 1200-1400. In 1648 it was "slighted" by the Parliamentarians, i.e. partly demolished to prevent rebels using it in future, as were many other castles across the British Isles. The citizens promptly looted the ruins (an early form of recycling) to build their own mansions with "castle stone". Admire what's left in this pleasant park overlooking the river. Free.
- Mother Shipton's Cave and the Petrifying Well, Prophecy Lodge, High Bridge HG5 8DD, +44 1423 864600. April-Oct M-F 10:30AM-4:30PM, Sa Su 10:30AM-5:30PM. Ursula Southeil or "Mother Shipton" (1488-1561) is supposed to have been born here, and to have made various scary prophecies. Much of what's attributed to her is later invention, especially the famous prophecy "The world to an end shall come, in eighteen hundred and eighty-one." This was written in 1862, and later amended to "1981" when cosmic events failed to oblige; there's probably a 2021 version coming soon.
Her supposed birthplace, the cave of the Petrifying Well, is a mix of creepy and tacky. It's a rock overhang with a continual drip of lime-rich water from above. The limestone solidifies, as if building a stalagmite, so any object left here for a few months gradually turns to stone. A whole tourist trade has built up around this: teddy bears and similar soft toys are popular sacrificial objects, what's that really all about? Adult £7 + parking £2. - What is believed to be the oldest chemist's shop in England, Market Place, Knaresborough, North Yorkshire HG5 8AG. is at 16 Market Place, in a 17th-century timber-framed building marked with a blue plaque. But it ceased to be a chemist's in 1997 and is now the Lavender Tea Rooms. Boots is just round the corner.
- Harrogate is worth a day to explore, and has better eating & drinking options.
Knaresborough Castle, Castle Yard HG5 8AS. Daily 11:00-16:00. This is where you flee to if you've just assassinated Archbishop Thomas Becket. The castle was built by the Normans circa 1100, but its royal heyday was 1200-1400. In 1648 it was "slighted" by the Parliamentarians, i.e. partly demolished to prevent rebels using it in future, as were many other castles across the British Isles. The citizens promptly looted the ruins (an early form of recycling) to build their own mansions with "castle stone". Admire what's left in this pleasant park overlooking the river. Free.
Mother Shipton's Cave and the Petrifying Well, Prophecy Lodge, High Bridge HG5 8DD, +44 1423 864600. April-Oct M-F 10:30AM-4:30PM, Sa Su 10:30AM-5:30PM. Ursula Southeil or "Mother Shipton" (1488-1561) is supposed to have been born here, and to have made various scary prophecies. Much of what's attributed to her is later invention, especially the famous prophecy "The world to an end shall come, in eighteen hundred and eighty-one." This was written in 1862, and later amended to "1981" when cosmic events failed to oblige; there's probably a 2021 version coming soon.
Her supposed birthplace, the cave of the Petrifying Well, is a mix of creepy and tacky. It's a rock overhang with a continual drip of lime-rich water from above. The limestone solidifies, as if building a stalagmite, so any object left here for a few months gradually turns to stone. A whole tourist trade has built up around this: teddy bears and similar soft toys are popular sacrificial objects, what's that really all about? Adult £7 + parking £2.
What is believed to be the oldest chemist's shop in England, Market Place, Knaresborough, North Yorkshire HG5 8AG. is at 16 Market Place, in a 17th-century timber-framed building marked with a blue plaque. But it ceased to be a chemist's in 1997 and is now the Lavender Tea Rooms. Boots is just round the corner.
[[Harrogate]] is worth a day to explore, and has better eating & drinking options.
Walk along the river and take in the scenic views.
- The Crown Inn, 71 High St, is run by JD Wetherspoon, open 8AM to midnight.
This is Leeds & York commuterland, so mobile & Wi-Fi in town are fine.
York, Leeds and Ripon are easily accessible by public transport. You'll need your own car to explore the Yorkshire Dales and National Park.