Pictures of Knaresborough

a Historic Market Town in the county of North Yorkshire

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About Knaresborough

This attractive market town lies in the high reaches of Yorkshire above Harrogate. It is overlooked by the peaceful waters of the River Nidd which is spanned by a magnificent Victorian railway viaduct and the fascinating remnants of Knaresborough Castle, built in the 12th-century. The castle was made "Royal" by King John who used it as a residence while he spent time hunting in the Forest of Knaresborough.

Knaresborough Castle was besieged by Parliamentarians during the Civil War, eventually the Royalist's surrendered, the castle was heavily damaged and what remains shows us that this must have been a remarkable place. Today we can see an Elizabethan Tower and a partially demolished courthouse which now houses a museum. Fine parkland surrounds these stirring historic remains, from which there are spectacular views over the valley below.

The town itself has a number of steep zig-zagging lanes and cobbled alleys usually ending up at the riverside. Backing on to this impressive area amidst a cloud of trees is St.John's Church. The church occupies a site on which it is believed a place of worship has stood for over thousand years. However, the church we see today appears to date mostly from the 14th-century when it was rebuilt according to the wishes of Queen Philippa, bride of Edward III. The church has a tower and a small spire, inside there is a Perpendicular font with a later cover, a 17th-century screen, and many historic monuments.

This is the town which gave us the legendry Mother Shipton, a prophetress of the 15th-16th-century. She is believed to have been born near the famous Dropping Well, a spring with a high mineral content which stands beside Mother Shipton's Cave, close to the banks of the Nidd. Mother Shipton supposedly forecast the English Civil War, the Great Fire of London and the development of the Aircraft. She also foretold the world would end in 1881.

The town is graced with a beautiful market square where visitors can see amongst other memorable buildings what is claimed to be the oldest Chemist Shop in England. Knaresborough is full of Yorkshire character, it lies in a beautiful rural heartland where visitors can lose themselves in a world of timeless charm and tranquillity. It offers peaceful riverside strolls, opportunities for hill walking, fishing and boating on the River Nidd. A local museum tells of the regions rich history and of the town's industrial heritage.

There are pleasant local shops, good quality inns and restaurants, and a wide selection of hotels for those wishing to stay and explore the many towns and villages adjacent to this lovely old town.

Knaresborough is within easy reach of the Gouthwaite and Leighton Reservoirs, the magnificent Yorkshire Dales, and the waters of the rivers Ure and Swale.

Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.

Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Knaresborough

Knaresborough Castle	(0.2 miles, 0.4 km)	Pictures
Spofforth Castle	(3.9 miles, 6.2 km, direction S)	Pictures
Ripley Castle	(4.4 miles, 7.1 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Fountains Abbey	(8.2 miles, 13.2 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Harewood House	(8.2 miles, 13.2 km, direction S)	Pictures
Ripon Cathedral	(9.0 miles, 14.4 km, direction N)	Pictures
Brimham Rocks Country Park	(9.6 miles, 15.4 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Lightwater Valley Park	(12.2 miles, 19.6 km, direction N)	Pictures
Chevin Forest Park	(12.2 miles, 19.6 km, direction SW)	Pictures
Nidderdale Museum	(12.9 miles, 20.8 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Marmion Tower	(14.2 miles, 22.9 km, direction N)	Pictures
Headingley Cricket Ground	(14.3 miles, 22.9 km, direction S)	Pictures
Kirkstall Abbey	(14.3 miles, 23.1 km, direction SW)	Pictures
Cow and Calf Rocks	(15.1 miles, 24.3 km, direction SW)	Pictures
Armley Mills Industrial Museum	(15.1 miles, 24.3 km, direction S)	Pictures

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Recommended towns near Knaresborough

Harrogate, in the county of North Yorkshire (3.2 miles, 5.1 km, direction SW)
One of the chief town's in Yorkshire's old West Riding, Harrogate acheived early fame as a Spa resort.
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Ripley, in the county of North Yorkshire (4.4 miles, 7.0 km, direction NW)
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Ripon, in the county of North Yorkshire (8.9 miles, 14.3 km, direction N)
Every night Ripons market square is the scene of a 1,000 year old custom when the city Wakeman blows his horn.
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Otley, in the county of West Yorkshire (11.6 miles, 18.6 km, direction SW)
Otley is a beautiful old town with attractive buildings in medieval courts and alleyways and a lovely parish church that dates back to Norman times.
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Tadcaster, in the county of North Yorkshire (12.3 miles, 19.8 km, direction SE)
Tadcaster has been at the centre of the Brewing industry since the 18th century, and today breweries remain conspicuous on its landscape.
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Pateley Bridge, in the county of North Yorkshire (12.6 miles, 20.3 km, direction NW)
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Leeds, in the county of West Yorkshire (14.8 miles, 23.9 km, direction S)
In the middle ages Leeds was a wool centre and it flourished. The sheep on the Yorkshire moors providing the wool for the cottage...
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Husthwaite, in the county of North Yorkshire (15.3 miles, 24.7 km, direction NE)
Set in the spacious countryside between the Hambleton and Howardian Hills, the attractive village of Husthwaite stands on the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors.
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Ilkley, in the county of West Yorkshire (15.5 miles, 25.0 km, direction SW)
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York, a Historic City in the county of North Yorkshire (16.3 miles, 26.2 km, direction E)
One of the most historic cities in Britain with overs 2000 years of history...
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Coxwold, in the county of North Yorkshire (17.0 miles, 27.3 km, direction NE)
Coxwold is one of those villages that appear to have changed very little with the passing of the centuries.
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Bolton Abbey, in the county of North Yorkshire (17.1 miles, 27.5 km, direction W)
The Bolton Abbey Estate covers 30,000 acres of beautiful countryside in the Yorkshire Dales.There are medieval buildings to explore and 80 miles of moorland, woodland and riverside footpaths.
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Saltaire, in the county of West Yorkshire (17.6 miles, 28.4 km, direction SW)
This perfectly preserved village originated as an answer to Bradford's 'dark satanic mills', it was the brain-child of...
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Burnsall, in the county of North Yorkshire (19.9 miles, 32.1 km, direction W)
Viewed from the surrounding grassy fells, this gorgeous stone village with its striking walls softened by rich green foliage, presents a picture of timeless charm.
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Harden, in the county of West Yorkshire (20.0 miles, 32.2 km, direction SW)
Harden lies in the famous countryside area between Cullingworth and Bingley surrounded by rivers and meadows. It is a favoured commuter base for those working in nearby Bradford.
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Nearby travel help

Knaresborough Station	(0.2 miles, 0.4 km)
Starbeck Station	(1.5 miles, 2.3 km, direction SW)
A1(M) Junction 47	(3.6 miles, 5.9 km, direction E)
A1(M) Junction 48	(5.7 miles, 9.2 km, direction NE)
Leeds Bradford International Airport	(12.9 miles, 20.7 km, direction SW)
Teesside International Airport	(34.6 miles, 55.6 km, direction N)
Knaresborough to London	(182.0 miles, 292.8 km, direction S)

Hotels & Accommodation in Knaresborough

Hotel Name	Approximate distance from Knaresborough center
Best Western Dower House	(0.1 miles, 0.1 km)
Shannon Court	(2.7 miles, 4.3 km, direction W)
Best Western Cedar Court Harrogate	(2.7 miles, 4.4 km, direction SW)
Rudding Park	(2.8 miles, 4.5 km, direction S)
Sherwood Hotel	(2.9 miles, 4.6 km, direction W)
The Grafton Hotel	(2.9 miles, 4.6 km, direction W)
Balmoral Hotel Harrogate	(2.9 miles, 4.6 km, direction W)
Ascot House Hotel	(2.9 miles, 4.7 km, direction W)
Fountains Guest Accommodation	(2.9 miles, 4.7 km, direction W)
Alvera Court	(3.0 miles, 4.8 km, direction W)
All hotels in Knaresborough