Travel Knaresborough
Slow life down a notch and savour the tranquillity of Yorkshire's quaint riverside market town
Travel: Knaresborough
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It’s thought that the ancient town of Knaresborough could date back as far as Roman times. Though its exact origins are indefinite, it is clear on sight that the place is steeped in history. Ancient walkways, authentic cobbled alleys and well-preserved secret passages are just a few of the components which make up the character of this pretty area.
The River Nidd surrounds Knaresborough and offers boating facilities, or the serene riverside walks come for free. The town also benefits from England’s oldest attraction, Mother Shipton’s Cave, which was the birthplace of its namesake, a renowned 15th century prophetess. Competing in the maturity stakes is England’s oldest chemist shop, which has stood proudly in the marketplace since 1720 and retains its original fixtures and fittings. Take that Boots.
The Wishing Well is ‘well’ worth a visit, as is the famous Petrifying well which claims to turn absorbent objects to stone over time (well who would argue?). If that isn’t spine-tingling enough for you, try venturing into St. Robert’s Cave which has carved itself into the cliff face beside the Nidd river.
All of that history needs some explaining, and the Courthouse Museum performs the task admirably. The building harks back to Tudor times, and it still has the furniture to prove it. For the active sort, the sprawling grounds of Conyngham Hall provide tennis, putting and such other dignified pastimes. Knaresborough’s indoor swimming pool further allows the chance to keep fit. Spiritual types will appreciate the Chapel of Our Lady of the Crag and the St. John the Baptist Parish Church, whilst anyone wanting to get creative can do so at the new Henshaw’s Arts and Crafts Centre.
Every historic town worth its salt needs a castle, and Knaresborough Castle certainly fits the bill. Standing on a high cliff overlooking the river, its earliest known existence was 1129. King John used the castle as a hunting base in the 13th century, and Kings Edward I and II redeveloped it during the 14th century, spending a total of £2174. Since 1372 the castle has been part of the Duchy of Lancaster, and it survived total demolition in 1644 when it came under a 6 month siege by parliamentary forces. All that remains today is the partially demolished King’s Tower, and the courthouse.
The summer brings an array of diverse musical offerings at the Knaresborough Festival. Folk, blues and country musicians perform, whilst art and photography exhibitions are erected and, perhaps most appealingly, the annual Bed Race takes place. Every June a procession of beds clatter through Knaresborough’s cobbles for a parade unrivalled in originality, culminating at the legendary river-crossing where they cross the finishing line. Whatever would Mother Shipton say?
Add to all of this the staples of a picturesque day out in an old-world town, namely traditional tea rooms, restaurants and pubs with regional home-cooked fare, and you have the perfect unspoiled place for a cultural outing full of charm.
Knaresborough is around 34 minutes from Leeds by car. The Leeds-Knaresborough trains take around 45 minutes and usually run at least every half hour.
Posted on Wednesday 17th February 2010
Rebecca Ryder
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