The delightful town of Knaresborough is situated just to the north of the larger North Yorkshire town of Harrogate, both are sighted on the river Nidd which flows down from the picturesque Nidderdale. The town is dominated by the steep valley which reaches down to the river along with its parklands, riverside walks, boating, the famous Knareborough Lido and fantastic views of the spectacular Victorian railway viaduct.
Mother Shipton
Mother Shipton or Ursula Southeil was a Yorkshire prophetess who lived in the time of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. She reputedly made a number of predictions including the Great Fire of London. Legend has it that she was born illegitimately in 1488 in a cave near the town of Knaresborough. She married a local carpenter, Toby Shipton and was made famous soon after her death when books about her prophecies and sayings became best sellers of the day.
The cave where she was reputed to be born is now an enduring local attraction incorporating the cave itself and also the famous petrifying well where waters seeping down through the local rocks leave a layer of limestone on any object left in the waters for long enough.
Other Local Characters
As well as Mother Shipton Knaresbough has been home to a number of famous or infamous characters from history.
Carved into the cliffs of the gorge near to the centre oft he town is the home of hermit St Robert. This can still be visited today.
Blind Jack or John Metcalf is little known but is one of Yorkshires most remarkable residents. He was born in Knaresborough in 1717 and became blind following infection with small pox when he was only six years old. Despite his disability he learned to play the fiddle and whilst doing so he met and fell in love with the daughter of a local hotel. However he then got involved with another woman and had to run away to Scarborough to avoid marrying her.
After numerous adventures he finally walked back to Yorkshire all the way from London and eloped with his first love, Dolly Benson, the day before she was due to be married having believed she had been left for good by John. They lived happily and, after other business ventures and a spell fighting in the disturbances surrounding Bonnie Prince Charlie, Blind Jack was eventually to become a master road builder contributing to the improvement of many significant local roads.
Not bad for a lad blind from the age of 6.
In addition to these the village of Scotton near the town was home for a time to Guy Fawkes and Richard II was imprisoned int he town, if only for one night.
The Railway Viaduct
Built by engineer Thomas Grainger in 1846 the four spans of the viaduct carry the railway some 78 feet above the river Nidd. The building of the viaduct was not straightforward, collapsing when near completion and taking another three and a half years to rebuild.
The end result was certainly worthwhile with its crenelated towers and hexagonal refuges which stand on top of the abutments on the approaches to the bridge proper.
Knaresborough Castle
Built in the 12 century but with major refurbishments carried out by Edward I and Edward II in the 14th century the castle was besieged for six months by parliamentarians in the English Civil war and was partially demolished following the surrender of the royalist forces.
Prior to that somewhat ignominious end the castle had been the favourite summer residence of the wife of Edward III and had also been owned and occupied by John of Gaunt and Henry Bolingbroke. The castle today houses a museum and the grounds offer a place to enjoy spectacular views over the River Gorge.
The Oldest Chemist Shop in the UK Knaresborough is also home to the oldest chemist shop in the country. Stnading in the high street this was opened in 1720. Today the shop is still open but now sells teas and handmade chocolates.
Travel
Knaresborough is served by rail links from Leeds, Harrogate and York by bus from these and other towns and is just 4 miles from the A1M motorway. A super place to spend a weekend or a lazy summer day.
Steve Allanson is a freelance web designer, management consultant, photographer and author.
Details of Yorkshire accommodation near Knaresborough can be found at Yorkshire Accommodation [http://www.best-yorkshire-accommodation.co.uk]
The author's website design business can be found at Yorkshire Web Design
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