Top 15 Must-See Attractions in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire

In a setting reminiscent of a 19th-century landscape painting, the town of Knaresborough is nestled against a steep gorge that is traversed by a railway viaduct.

The riverside exudes charm during the summer months, offering visitors the opportunity to relax at a café terrace by the water or rent a wooden rowboat.

Visitors can explore caves associated with a 15th-century prophetess and a 13th-century hermit, as well as the remnants of a castle that hosted royalty throughout the Medieval era.

Stairways and cobblestone paths ascend from the riverside to the historic town center, leading you to England’s oldest pharmacy and a quaint rural market held on Wednesdays.

Just upriver is the protected landscape of the Nidd Gorge, where one can walk or cycle through ancient woodlands under the towering sandstone walls of the gorge.

Let us examine the top attractions in Knaresborough:

1. Knaresborough Castle

This historical fortress commands a prominent position overlooking the River Nidd, positioned on a steep cliff.

Constructed by the Normans at the onset of the 12th century, Knaresborough Castle underwent stone reinforcement a century later under King John, with further expansions carried out during the 14th century under Edward I and Edward II.

Philippa of Hainault, the wife of Edward III, assumed control of the castle in 1331 and frequently visited during the summer months.

Although the castle was dismantled following the Civil War, with its stones repurposed for buildings in the town center, visitors can still gaze into the dungeon and ascend the King’s Tower.

Encounter the castle’s resident ravens, who have been delighting visitors with their Yorkshire accents since 2000.

The castle, alongside the Courthouse Museum located within its grounds, operates as a seasonal attraction from Easter to September. Visits outside this period can be arranged by prior appointment.

2. Courthouse Museum

Located south of the ruined fortress, an intact structure of Knaresborough Castle remains.

The Courthouse, situated within the castle’s bailey, dates back to the 1300s but was reconstructed at the beginning of the 17th century.

Initially serving as a “house of records,” it transitioned into a court for the “Honour of Knaresborough,” with a prison added in the 19th century.

The Courthouse Museum showcases Knaresborough’s unique history, featuring notable figures such as Blind Jack (John Metcalfe), who, despite losing his sight to smallpox, constructed over 180 miles of roads in Yorkshire and Lancashire during the 1700s.

Inside, the original Tudor courtroom, complete with its fittings, can be experienced, while children can try their hand at brass rubbing and don Civil War attire.

3. River Nidd Waterside Walk

The riverside of the Nidd in Knaresborough is remarkably picturesque, characterized by the towering banks of the gorge and lush greenery.

One can easily stroll along the riverside throughout the town center, ranging from Mother Shipton’s Cave to Our Lady of the Crag.

The latter is a charming early-15th-century chapel carved into the sandstone.

A striking feature along this route is Knaresborough’s Victorian viaduct, arching majestically across the gorge.

During summer months, rowboats can be hired to glide beneath the viaduct and admire it from a fresh perspective.

Along the waterside, a series of cafés nestled beneath the castle’s cliff offer waterfront seating to enjoy this beautiful vista.

4. Nidd Gorge

Up the River Nidd, between the village of Bilton and Knaresborough, the river has carved a ravine into the soft sandstone.

With walls reaching depths of up to 37 meters, the riverbanks are lined with ancient broadleaf and coniferous forests dating back to the 1600s, creating a habitat for over 80 bird species and 30 various mammals, reptiles, and amphibians.

If approached quietly, one might observe roe deer, herons near the water, or green woodpeckers in the treetops.

Amidst the natural beauty, one can also spot human-made structures such as the elegant Nidd Viaduct, originally constructed for railway use and now part of the Nidderdale Greenway cycle route.

Alert hikers may also identify a defensive earthwork at Gates Hill and remnants of historical coal extraction at Coalpits Wood on the southern bank.

5. Mother Shipton’s Cave

Positioned above the Nidd and adjacent to the Harrogate Road lies England’s oldest tourist attraction, which has been charging an entrance fee since 1630. This site centers around the legendary (and likely fictional) prophetess named Mother Shipton, said to have been born in the cave in 1488. She purportedly predicted numerous events, including the Great Fire of London in 1666. The “petrifying well,” located just outside the cave, has drawn curiosity for centuries.

The high content of sulfate and carbonate in the water forms a crust around any item placed beneath the cascade, leading visitors to see numerous everyday objects suspended by string and undergoing “petrification” by the water.

6. St Robert’s Cave

Located along the south side of town, another historic cave, firmly rooted in reality, awaits exploration.

Robert of Knaresborough, a hermit known for his piety, resided in this small niche within the magnesian limestone cliff during the early 13th century.

Born to a wealthy family, Robert renounced his privilege to become a novice monk at Fountains Abbey in Northumberland but eventually relocated to Knaresborough, hewing a dwelling directly from the rock.

Though never canonized, numerous miraculous stories are attributed to him.

Inside the cave, a shelf believed to have served as an altar is found, while the platform outside offers glimpses of the foundations of a chapel built to house Robert’s tomb after his passing in 1218.

7. Allerton Castle

Allerton Castle boasts a history traceable to the Norman Conquest.

In 1843, Lord Mowbray, the premier Baron of England, commissioned the construction of a completely new building that fused Gothic and Tudor architectural styles.

From Easter to the end of October, visitors can tour this estate on Wednesdays, where they are transported back to a time capsule of 19th-century English aristocracy.

Entering through the porte-cochère flanked by life-sized statues of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York, you’ll traverse the grand interiors, including the Great Hall, Great Stairs, Gallery, Ballroom, Drawing Room, Music Room, and various other rooms featuring original décor and Victorian furnishings.

Highlights include the ornate plaster ceiling in the Drawing Room, the “Gothic” billiard table in the Billiard Room, the vaulted ceiling over the Great Stairs, and the intricate panelling and stained glass of the Dining Room.

8. Bebra Gardens

Previously known as the Moat Gardens, Bebra Gardens has adopted the name of Knaresborough’s sister town in Germany.

This modest yet beautiful park is located within the castle grounds and features a gradient with an intricate network of pathways beneath mature coniferous and broadleaf trees, alongside well-maintained rockeries and flower borders.

At the foot of the slope, there is a paddling pool designed for young children, operational from the late spring holiday to early September.

9. Ye Oldest Chymist Shoppe in England

Located in Knaresborough’s Market Place, the oldest pharmacy in England is distinguished by an official blue plaque.

Historical records indicate that John Beckwith operated a chemist shop here in 1720, though it is believed the shop may be up to 200 years older.

Notably, records affirm Beckwith utilized apothecary jars containing “dispensatories and herbals” tracing back to the 17th century.

The shopfront received its charming box windows with “Chinese Chippendale” legs in 1760 and was renowned for its lavender water—a remedy still crafted by the manufacturing chemist who acquired the business in 1994. The establishment now focuses on Farrah’s Harrogate Toffee, displaying the leather pouch that belonged to Labour peer Philip Inman, who worked here as a young errand boy in 1901.

10. Beryl Burton Cycleway

Established by the sustainable transport charity Sustrans, the Beryl Burton Cycleway is a designated paved route facilitating safe travel for cyclists and pedestrians, effectively bypassing the busy A59 road connecting Knaresborough and Harrogate.

The cycleway begins near the River Nidd and extends to Bilton Hall Drive.

From this point, access to the Nidderdale Greenway is available, providing a scenic and leisurely ride to Harrogate, which also features the impressive viaduct.

This cycleway is named to honor Beryl Burton (d. 1996), a remarkable cyclist who secured more than seven world titles.

Her 12-hour time trial record of 277.25 miles, established in 1967, eclipsed both female and male records, remaining unsurpassed by a man until 1969.

11. Church of St John the Baptist

Situated by the northern bank of the River Nidd, the Church of St John the Baptist is a Grade I-listed monument with roots in the 15th century, exhibiting elements of earlier 12th-century architecture.

As with many churches throughout the country, St John’s underwent considerable restoration during the Victorian era.

This church merits an interior visit to appreciate the soaring arcades of the nave, supported by robust octagonal piers from the 15th century.

Pay attention to the chapels located in the north aisle.

The Slingsby Chapel showcases remarkable family memorials dating back to the 17th century, while St Edmund’s Chapel features some of the oldest Gothic stonework, including intricate designs on the arch, as well as elaborate sedilia, piscina, statue niches, and tomb recesses.

12. Knaresborough Town Windows Trail

A distinctive characteristic of Georgian houses is the prevalence of “blank windows” that have been bricked up, likely to mitigate historical taxes or maintain symmetry within terraces, and Knaresborough is home to numerous examples in its historic center.

The town has ingeniously repurposed these windows by commissioning trompe-l’œil paintings that illustrate significant figures and events from its history.

To date, ten such paintings have been completed, with a map available for download from the local tourist board, presenting an alternative tour of the charming historic center.

Among the figures depicted are Mother Shipton, arguably the most famous witch in English history, Guy Fawkes, who spent part of his life in the area, and King John, who conducted England’s inaugural Royal Maundy in Knaresborough in 1210.

13. Knaresborough Market

Every Wednesday, visitors can head to Knaresborough’s Market Place to partake in a tradition that has persisted since 1310. The market operates from 08:30 until 16:00 and features over 100 stalls, continuing to be a cornerstone of the community.

Much of the meat, fruits, and vegetables available are sourced locally and seasonally, ensuring there is always fresh produce every few weeks.

Many residents of Knaresborough frequent this market for groceries, fish, and sweet delights, in addition to Yorkshire pork pies, cheeses, beers, household goods, decorative crafts, plants, pet supplies, clothing, and much more.

14. Jacob Smith Park

This park, situated in the northern part of Knaresborough, has only been accessible to the public since 2008. It was bequeathed by Miss Winifred Jacob Smith, who worked this land with her sister for decades following their inheritance from their father, who passed away young in 1941. Covering 20 acres, the park is encircled by an imposing stone wall, interspersed with ancient trees, and features over 200 newcomers that were planted after the local council took over.

Today, Jacob Smith Park presents a romantic slice of Nidderdale countryside, with flowing meadows interconnected by pathways and a designated nature trail designed for children.

15. Great Knaresborough Bed Race

First initiated in 1966 and never halted, the Great Knaresborough Bed Race is an eccentric local tradition that occurs each June.

Organized by the Knaresborough Lions community group, the event raises funds for worthy local causes.

Every year, around 90 teams, each consisting of six runners and one passenger, participate in maneuvering a bed on wheels along a challenging 2.4-mile course that also includes a refreshing plunge into the cold waters of the River Nidd.

Participants don themed costumes, with a best-decorated team parading before the race commences.

The teams embark at ten-second intervals, racing through Knaresborough’s streets on a course that has remained largely unchanged for over half a century.