Location: Knaresborough
Top Things to do in Knaresborough
The 10 Best Things to Do in Knaresborough, United Kingdom (UK)
Knaresborough (/nɛərzbrə, -bərə/ NAIRZ-b(ə)rə) is an historic market town, spa town and civil parish in the Borough of Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England. Historically part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, it is located on the River Nidd, 4 miles (6.4 km) east from the centre of Harrogate.
Restaurants in Knaresborough
1. River Nidd Waterside Walk
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 210 reviews
Reviewed By Geoff S - North Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Just got back from a lovely weekend at Swinton Park, even the weather stayed fine!
From the moment we arrived we knew were somewhere special.
On Friday night we had an excellent meal in the Terrace restaurant followed by a fabulous one in Samuel’s on Saturday evening.
Even though the hotel was very busy, especially on the Friday night has they had a charity function, we had first class service.
The whole weekend was memorable but we had extra special service from Harry in reception, Richard in the Terrace and James & Shoe in Samuel’s.
Make no mistake this is an expensive place but well worth it!
2. Knaresborough Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Knaresborough Castle is a Scheduled Ancient Monument which is owned by the Duchy of Lancaster and maintained by Harrogate Borough Council. The grounds surrounding Knaresborough Castle are opened as a public park and provide a haven in the centre of the town. The Castle is located on top of a high cliff and has dramatic views across to the viaduct and of the River Nidd. The grassed areas are enhanced with mature trees and colourful flowerbeds.
Reviewed By Elizabeth C - Shrewsbury, United Kingdom
The views from the castle overlooking the River Nidd and viaduct are breathtaking. You can access the castle from the town centre, if you would like to avoid the steep climb up from the riverside walk. Amazing & well worth a visit.
3. Mother Shipton's Cave and The Petrifying Well
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1 reviews
Mother Shipton’s Cave is England’s oldest visitor attraction, having been open since 1630. Millions of visitors from all over the world have been enchanted by the park's natural beauty, mesmerised by the Petrifying Well and enthralled by Mother Shipton's birthplace and her amazing story. The park has several scenic picnic areas, an adventure playground and museum and gift shop. Themed events run during school holidays. The park is open every day until 4th November, 10 am to 4.30pm (last admission 3.30pm). There is parking on site (£2 all day in addition to admission).
Reviewed By Rhona C - Leeds, United Kingdom
Took our granddaughter on Monday to visit the advertised Beatrix Potter event, hoping to meet Peter Rabbit.
The event was in my opinion, a non event. A frog and squirrel who looked quite scary. A very nice Mrs Rabbit who had a lovely way with the children. But no Peter Rabbit. We asked at the shop and again at the entrance but were unable to find out if Peter Rabbit was actually at the event. Unless Peter was in a burrow having a nap, I do not believe he was there!
Attempted to use the toilet with the changing table but decided against due to health and safety. The toilet floor was filthy and food was lying in a corner. There was no where to hang a changing bag and I was certainly not going to put my granddaughter on the changing table.
This is an event that is certainly not value for money and would not recommend taking young children.
4. Bebra Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 50 reviews
Bebra Gardens is an attractive park close to Knaresborough Castle. It is a hidden gem providing a haven from the hustle and bustle of the town centre. Bebra Gardens is located on a steep slope and there are sloping, meandering pathways leading through mature trees and topiery. The paths lead through the park to the paddling pool at the lowest point and onto Waterside below.
Reviewed By Lindagreenacre - York, United Kingdom
We have visited Knaresborough many times before finding these lovely Gardens, which are not obvious. They were called the moat Gardens and then re-named the Bebra Gardens when Knaresborough was twinned with Bebra. The pathways are quite steep and could be a challenge for the less mobile, but the Gardens are beautiful. There is also a play pond for children. There are several seats for the weary to take a rest. We also came across a wooden bench, beautifully carved with a butterfly shape in the back. This is in memory of a little girl called Sadie and judging by the pristine state of the teddy bear on the seat, is regularly visited by family.
5. Allerton Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 59 reviews
Reviewed By Michael T - Leeds, United Kingdom
Times to visit the castle are limited to Wednesday afternoons and Bank Holidays, I believe, so plan ahead!
The visit in the interior of the castle is to the ground floor only, but there's plenty to see there. It's also a guided tour, lasting about a couple of hours. You can see other floors in the house, but by prior appointment.
I particularly liked the library and the drawing room.
Outside there's a small memorial garden dedicated to the fallen Canadian airmen of the second world war. You can also walk down to a small lake, but that's the extent of things to do outside.
6. Plumpton Rocks
Overall Ratings
4 based on 95 reviews
Reviewed By Trevor L - Doncaster, United Kingdom
An amazing place and anyone who rates this lower than a 5, obviously has no capacity to appreciate it's unique and extremely interesting nature.
This idyllic location, consists of rocky plateau, which is covered with trees, which overlooks a man made lake, that is achieved by a classic style dam (a few hundred years old at a guess), that sits some 30 or more feet below. The lake has the plateau running along one side, with the rest of the surrounding land, consists of ancient rolling woodlands, that sit between 1 to 10 feet above it.
Access to the site, is achieved by driving up to the top of the plateau and then driving into the car park, which consists of relatively smooth sections of soil between trees in the woodland.
Once out of the car, access to the lake is achieved in a relatively random nature, as there are no prepared footpaths or any specific route, that visitors are even guided (never mind instructed) to use. Instead of any formal path, there are numerous foot worn paths randomly winding there way down the approximately 30 ft drop down to the lake level.
This place is certainly not suitable for anyone, who is unable to make their way down an extremely steep, unprepared walkway that is covered in loose fallen tree matter and the like.
However, for anyone who is able, this is a must see place, as the unique rock formations and intriguing walkways through both the rocks and woodlands, result in an extremely interesting, exciting and unique experience.
For anyone who finds the most commonly used pathways too steep, contrary to the advice I was given, there is a relatively gently sloping alternative pathway you can use. To find this pathway, start by parking in the additional parking area and as far from the entrance as possible, and then walk in a direction away from the entrance, until you find a large dished dip in the woodland floor. Walk into the dip and follow the path to the left, which will take you down to the lake. The most interesting walkways through the rocks, is to the right of the pathway if you use that access point.
During our visit we encountered a number of people who were lost in the woods and trying to find there way back to the car park, so here's a tip to help anyone who reads this and makes a visit;
If you walk round the lake in a clockwise direction and end up in the woods on top of the rocks, just keep the lake on your right hand side and keep walking clockwise and slightly away from the lake. You'll have to walk through a few dips bake to lake level and back up to woodland level but you'll eventually make your way back to the car park.
In my opinion, this is how all nature related sites should be, rather than being commercialised and being denaturalised, by the addition of formal car parks, concrete pathways and visitor centres.
One final point, my daughter and grandchildren (boy of 6 & girl of 10), have been visiting us from Malta for the past 2 weeks and we've been to many of the 'popular' attractions in that time, all of which cost a great deal of money. When I told the kids that we were going to visit some rocks in a wood, they were extremely disappointed and didn't want to go. However, within minutes of arriving they were raving about it being the best place they'd been to, so that also makes it the best value for money attraction by far, as it was only approx. £2.50 per person.
I guess it would also be helpful to mention, that there are no toilets or any other facilities, that you might want or find at other similar attraction locations.
7. St Robert's Cave
Overall Ratings
4 based on 24 reviews
Reviewed By jetboot - Harrogate
Well worth a visit when visiting Knaresborough.
From the castle walk down the steps and walk left along waterside keep the river to your rhs. Then the cross over onto Abbey road passing the and half moon pub.
You can stop to look at the chapel in the rock continue for approximately half a mile and the cave is by the river on the right.
It is purely a cave with history information about it.
8. Church of St John the Baptist
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By johnhouston2 - Knaresborough, United Kingdom
Records from Nostell Priory tell us that there was a church on this site from as far back as 1114 when King Henry 1 granted "the church at Cnaresburgh" to the canons at Nostell. The current church is situated in a lovely part of Knaresborough, just above the river and near the famous viaduct. The river can be reached by a short walk down the cobbled Water Bag Bank, which is one of the oldest parts of the town.
The church itself is in an open, green setting surrounded by an assortment of attractive stone cottages and other buildings. It is instantly recognizable by its rather unique, stunted spire, which was added to the tower circa 1520. This type of spire is known as a "candle snuffer" and although it is relatively common in the Home Counties, this one at Knaresborough is the only one to be found in Yorkshire.
The tower itself is the oldest part of the church and is probably from Norman times, and in addition to the unique spire, the clock and sundial are worth a look. Originally installed in 1884 the clock has an inscribed motto from St Paul - "Redeeming the Time", which is taken to mean that we should make the most of whatever time we are given!
Perhaps such sentiments are a common theme among church architects because I recently came across a similar one at the church of St Thomas the Apostle in Stanhope, which had an inscription on a sundial that said "ut hora sic vita" which translates as "as the hour - so life". (See separate review of the church in Stanhope).
As expected, there is much to discover and admire in this splendid church and there is useful helpful literature provided to guide visitors. The booklet by the late local historian Arnold Kellett is particularly informative. As such, there is no need for me to outline the various treasures to be found here but I have to say that my favourite items included the large Tudor font with the beautifully carved, suspended font cover that is likely Jacobean; and the rather splendid alms box which dates from 1600.
The nave is wide and spacious and the view down the central aisle, with grand arches on either side and the chancel ahead with its beautiful east window is rather lovely. Elsewhere in the church are the ornate St Edmunds and Slinsby chapels as well as many other memorials.
In short, there is much to admire here and, in finishing my review, I must say thank you to all concerned with the church in keeping it open for the public to view. Although I am not religious I love looking round old churches and it is rather sad to find that so many of them are locked these days. I tend to think that locking church doors, although perhaps understandable in these modern times, rather flies in the face of the whole spirit and purpose of the buildings. So well done to St John's!
9. Chapel of Our Lady of the Crag
Overall Ratings
4 based on 21 reviews
The Chapel of Our Lady of the Crag is a 'Marian' shrine dedicated to the Virgin Mary and her son, Jesus Christ. The Chapel was built by someone known as 'John the Mason' in 1408. A Royal Charter attests to the date, but the rest of the founding story is either legend or conjecture! John the Mason probably worked to obtain stone for Knaresborough Castle from the nearby quarry. The story goes that his son was almost killed by a rock fall in the quarry. John fervently prayed to the Virgin Mary to save him. When he emerged, miraculously unscathed, from the rubble, John built this chapel in thanksgiving. There are two other reasons that might have prompted him to have hewn the Chapel out of the rock. Firstly, the Chapel is a wayside shrine, and in 1408 it was en route to Knaresborough's priory (destroyed at the Reformation). Secondly, John would have loved to have displayed his skills to the people of his day; the Chapel is the work of a master craftsman, with a carved altar, vaulted ceiling, roof bosses and gargoyles, looking every bit like an erected building, but with a special quality, created from the crag itself. A volunteer group look after the site and open the Chapel to visitors and pilgrims, they raise funds for the upkeep of the Chapel and minor site maintenance projects. The chapel is open 2pm - 4pm on Sundays from Easter until the end of September (weather permitting). To arrange a visit outside of these times please contact us at
Reviewed By nnmercman - Camberley, United Kingdom
Wanted to visit the chapel/wayside shrine which dates back to around 1408 but disappointed to find it's currently only open on Sundays 2-4pm (except groups by arrangement) - see my information sheet photo. You can discern the rock face entrance from the path but that's about it unless you're in the area when it's open.
10. Market Cross
Overall Ratings
4 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By Howi58 - Liverpool, United Kingdom
This is an impressive and well preserved market cross. The market was not set up when we visited but the square is surrounded by some interesting little shops, pubs and cafes - some, presumably, patronised by 'Blind Jack' himself!
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