Places to see in Knaresborough
Bebra Gardens
Chapel of Our Lady of The Crag
The Chapel was carved out of the rock in about 1408 by 'John the Mason', and is believed to be the third oldest wayside shrine in Britain. John was a local stonemason who worked in the nearby quarry and one day, his son was playing on the rocky cliff when there was a great downfall of stones and boulders. The father of the boy attributed his son's narrow escape from death as a miraculous intervention by the Virgin Mary and is said to have built the shrine in thanksgiving and dedicated it to the Blessed Virgin.
In earlier times it was called "Saint Robert's Chapel", probably inaccurately, since it was constructed almost two centuries after the saint's death and may have been confused with Saint Robert's Cave, tucked away on the same riverbank further down Abbey Road. Today, the Chapel is owned by Ampleforth Abbey. It was given to the Abbey by John Martin, a Roman Catholic from Liverpool, who bought it in 1916. The R.C. parish of St. Mary's Knaresborough looks after it on the Abbey's behalf.
Today, the Chapel remains a very special sacred site. The shrine's significance has been recognised by national groups including World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), and has been assisted in the form of grants as part of the Sacred Land 2000 Project (led by The International Consultancy on Religion, Education and Culture -ICOREC). More recently the Shrine was given Blue Plaque status, and in2008 celebrated its 600th anniversary with a series of events in the town.
Conyngham Hall
Conyngham Hall is one of Knaresborough's best-known and most prestigious Grade II* listed buildings and a former home of the Mackintosh family (of Rowntree Mackintosh fame), the Hall is now run commercially as a Business Centre and Conference Venue, aimed particularly at the local business communities.
Set in beautiful landscaped grounds that can be enjoyed by all, Conyngham Hall is now licensed to hold Civil Weddings and Civil Partnerships, along with baby naming ceremonies and private functions.
Henshaws Art and Crafts Centre
50 Bond End
Knaresborough
HG5 9AL
Tel: 01423 541888
The Arts and Crafts Centre is part of Henshaws – a charity that offers practical support and services to people of all ages living with sight loss, learning difficulties and additional disabilities.
The centre offers an exciting programme of community events and activities. It is also a day care service for people with disabilities.
The centre is a focal point within the local arts community and offers events for people of ages including;
- art exhibitions
- live music
- film screenings
- theatre events
- events for children and families
There is a fully licensed café, sensory garden, a visitor’s centre and a shop, which sells "Handmade at Henshaws" products.
House in the Rock
Knaresborough House and Gardens
Market Place
Knaresborough Castle & Courthouse Museum
Castle Yard
Knaresborough
HG5 8AS
A stronghold of Medieval Kings, Knaresborough Castle still stands towering over the River Nidd. A visit to the site includes a tour to discover what Royalty got up to in the King's Tower, get a glimpse of the dungeon and walk through the underground sallyport.
Visit the Courthouse Museum, housed in one of the Castle's oldest surviving buildings. Find out about Knaresborough's fascinating history and the colourful characters who have contributed to it, such as Eugene Aram, the infamous 18th century murderer!
Get a glimpse of what life was like for children and adults alike living in a Medieval Castle and view the rare surviving Tudor courtroom.
Photos Courtesy of S Van Zelst
Mother Shiptons Cave & The Petrifying Well
Tel. 01423 864600
Fax. 01423 868888
Mother Shiptons Cave Ltd
Prophecy Lodge, High Bridge
Knaresborough
HG5 8DD
Mother Shipton is England’s most famous Prophetess. She lived some 500 years ago during the reigns of King Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth I.
Her Prophetic visions became known and feared throughout England, with many of them still proving uncannily accurate today.
The Cave, her legendary birthplace is near to the famous, unique, geological phenomenon - The Petrifying Well. See its magical cascading waters turn items into stone!
The Petrifying Well is England’s Oldest Visitor Attraction, first opening its gates in 1630!
Mother Shiptons Cave & The Petrifying Well lie at the heart of the Mother Shipton Estate – a relic of the Ancient Forest of Knaresborough.
Visit website
Railway Viaduct
St Johns Parish Church
St Robert's Cave