Off the Beaten Path: Knaresborough

County: North Yorkshire

Rick Steves once said that travel writers overuse the word “quaint.” While that may be true, I don’t think you could find a better word to describe Knaresborough.

Set high above the River Nidd, Knaresborough tumbles like a force of nature from high cliffs to riverside. It’s inspired photographers and artists – and recently, I even went into Barnes and Noble here in Austin where they sold a jigsaw puzzle of Knaresborough! So, the village has a lot to live up to (and it does)!

Mother Shipton’s Cave

Mother Shipton's Cave

Mother Shipton was a prophetess who lived from 1488 to 1561 on the banks of the River Nidd. She made various predictions to include the end of the world! You can see the forest and cave where she lived as well as the wishing and petrifying wells. The Petrifying Well is best known for hanging articles of clothing so that the water (of high mineral content) flows over them, eventually turning the items to stone!

Petrifying Well

At the Wishing Well, you can make your wish, but the wish is based on following a series of rules very carefully. Be careful, though. You may get what you wish for!

Wishing Well

Waterside

Across the river from Mother Shipton’s and under the viaduct are boat rentals, cafes, and shops.

Boat Rental

Relax by the water with an afternoon tea or partake of the river’s natural magnetism and paddle down its scenic waterway. There’s never a bad day for enjoying this lovely area.

Shops and Cafes

Knaresborough Castle

Knaresborough Castle only stood from the 1100s to the English civil war in 1648. At this time, Parliament took action to destroy many of the royalist holdings of which Knaresborough castle was one. Much of the stone that was removed created current city buildings, and the grounds are well-tended gardens that belie the castle’s sad tale.

Relaxing at Knaresborough Castle

Viaduct

From the top edge of the castle, you can get the picturesque view of the Knaresborough viaduct. Mother Shipton predicted that “the bridge across the Nidd shall tumble down twice and on third building stand forever.” After the railway viaduct at Knaresborough fell twice, it was rebuilt in 1848 and still stands.

Knaresborough Viaduct

Market Day

There’s a small market in Knaresborough on Wednesdays, and a few shops besides. The market is located in the city centre near the Castle grounds. On the day we were there, the town Cryer was announcing the Great Knaresborough Bed Race was to be held soon.



Market Day

The Great Knaresborough Bed Race

In June, the Lions club puts on a charity bed race. You heard right! A bed race. There is a parade of beds and awards for the best dressed bed, but it’s really all about the race.



Bed Race

Since 1966, teams from all over the world have met the challenge. With six runners and one person designated to ride on the bed, the race stems from steep,grassy banks through parks, along the water side, over cobblestones, and across a bridge. The finale is getting the beds across the River Nidd. A 20-yard push that regales the crowds and pushes the teams to their limits!

Getting There

Knaresborough is easily reached off the A1(M) and the A59 (if you’re driving) or via train, bus, bike, or foot otherwise. If you’re traveling by train, you’ll disembark at the base of Kirkgate which leads to the city centre. The hill is a steep climb, so you may want to take the bus or an alternate route to get to the market place. The only way to get to the Market Place without walking up Kirkgate would be to walk to the High Street via Station Road and turn left. Walk down the High Street until you reach the Council Offices and then cross the road to the bus stop. The number 1 bus takes you up to the bus station next to the market place. Buses normally run every 7-8 minutes.

Summary

All-in-all, Knaresborough gives a lot of bang for the traveler buck. It also lies within a sightseeing circle I always recommend (see map). If you are looking for a true “Off the Beaten Path” experience, you couldn’t do better than this *quaint* Yorkshire town.

Just Do It!