Mother Shipton’s Cave

Mother Shipton’s Cave

Background

This outdoor tourist attraction in Knaresborough is England’s oldest tourist attraction; it opened in 1630. It is also the birthplace of England’s most famous prophetess. She is believed to have been born in a small cave just by the River Nidd. Mother Shipton’s Cave is set within the touristy picturesque town of Knaresborough, down by the riverside. There is also the Petrifying Well, a famous natural wonder. The high mineral content of the running water literally turns everything it touches into stone! You will also delve into the history of the prophetess and how she came to be confined to this little grotto. Mother Shipton’s Cave also boasts playgrounds for children, a museum, plenty of walking trails and seasonal attractions.

The Petrifying Well

This geological phenomenon is now England’s oldest visitor attractions and has received over millions of people visiting since 1630.

Image taken by Aiden Dawson

You can literally stand and watch as the running water transforms everyday objects into stone! People have tied objects including teddy bears, a camera and old shoes suspended over the well. Water constantly flows over the items and you can see the natural wonder of petrifying take place before your eyes; part of a three month process.

The Cave

The other main attraction of this place is Mother Shipton herself. Legend has it that she was born during a thunderstorm in this small cave tucked beside the River Nidd. She grew up mainly isolated in this cave whilst she studied the surrounding nature and made potions from some of the flowers and herbs. She had become famous for being a prophetess and the story has been passed on since. You can actually go and visit her petrified body inside this small cave.

Click here to visit their website to read more about the story.

Sir Henry Slingsby’s Long Walk & Beech Avenue

Sir Henry Slingsby landscaped the entire park and created the pathways people walk on today. The Beech Avenue is home to some of the oldest and tallest beech trees in the country; planted by Sir Henry Slingsby himself. This short walk now stretches from the Petrifying Well and cave to the Old Inn pub at the far end of the park.

Food/Drink

Visitors can buy food and drink from catering stands within the park, which are located in the main park area. Food including pies, cakes, and ice creams along with other treats can be bought from various vendors. People can also buy hot drinks including coffee, tea and hot chocolate, as well as soft drinks. There are plenty of spots to sit down for a picnic; these includes the many sheltered huts and picnic benches scattered around the area.

Image taken by Kimberly Hughes

Gift Shop & Museum

After walking down the Beech Avenue, you will get to the small museum and gift shop at the end. Here, you can learn about the many petrified items donated by famous people and celebrities, including the shoe left by Queen Mary. There is also a life-size figure of Mother Shipton as you enter the museum. The gift shop is within the same small building as the museum, where visitors can buy souvenirs including tarots, bracelets with “healing powers” and other merchandise.

Events

Throughout the entire year, there are season events that take place during all the school holidays including Easter, the May bank holiday, the summer holidays, Halloween and Christmas.

In March/April 2024, they ran an Alice In Wonderland themed Easter event during the Easter school holidays. There was a maze of tepees with all kinds of displays. There was also an Easter Egg hunt for the kids and statues of other nursery characters, including Humpty Dumpty!

Image taken by Aiden Dawson

In October, they run different Halloween-themed events. These events feature displays that include wicked witches, cauldrons, and famous characters casting magical spells.

During the Christmas holidays, you can buy a Santa Experience Ticket for the children. With this they will get access to festive activities including Santa’s Grotto. The entire park turns into a winter wonderland, with a Christmas Village featuring merry displays. There are also hot chocolate, gingerbread biscuits and mince pies on offer.

Click here to book for events online and see what they have to offer.

Play Area

The park also has an adventure playground with a variety of equipment suitable for children of varying ages and abilities. It is situated right nearby the main picnic area and food and drink vendors.

Other Nearby Attractions

Knaresborough is also home to many other touristy things to do. Knaresborough is a historic and picturesque North Yorkshire market town, and an ancient Norman castle stands at the top of the hill looking over the River Nidd Gorge on the opposite side of the River Nidd to Mother Shipton’s. There is also the Knaresborough Theatre, the Nidd Gorge, and the Knaresborough leisure pool.

Accessibility

Throughout this outdoor attraction in Knaresborough, there are varying levels of accessibility.

Wheelchair Access

It is important to note that the entire park is built on natural rock formations on the riverside. Therefore, wheelchair access may be limited at some parts of the attraction. From the main car park, it is easy to move a wheelchair to the picnic and playground park area depending on model, although some of it is uphill.

The Petrifying Well and cave have very limited access for wheelchairs and pushchairs. There are three lots of twenty-five steps to get to this part, so it is not suitable for wheelchairs unfortunately. The gift shop and museum are also inaccessible to wheelchairs for this reason. For people bringing pushchairs, a baby carrier or sling is an option if you want to take your baby to the well, cave, museum and gift shop. All of the steps are also narrow, but there are handrails and spots in between with a bench for people to sit down and rest.

During seasonal events, all of the attractions take place in the park area just up the slight hill from the car park, so wheelchair users can access most of the features and displays. Most of the ground is tarmac, but parts are covered in wood chips which may be slightly awkward for wheelchairs.

Toilet Facilities

Throughout this outdoor attraction in Knaresborough, there are different toilets located at different points. There are main toilet facilities at the entrance where cars drive in. It is an option to pull up to one side and allow people to visit these toilets here before parking. These are the nearest disabled toilets in the area. There are portable toilets provided at the picnic area near the food vendors; there is an accessible toilet here too.

Outdoor Space

This entire attraction in Knaresborough is outdoors, but there are sheltered spots around too. People may need to move up and down the narrow steps in single-file. There is lots of space for children to run around at the picnic area and the playground, but please be careful of the sudden drop down to the riverside along the edge.

Image taken by Kimberly Hughes

Child-Friendly

All of this outdoor attraction in Knaresborough is child-friendly. You can hammer pennies into logs for good luck or go to the wishing well, put your hand in the small pool of water and make a wish. The facilities are also child-friendly because they provide designated spots to park pushchairs. There are baby-changing facilities at the main entrance toilets. Additionally, the food vendors provide baby-friendly snacks too.

Dog-Friendly

Dogs are allowed throughout most of the attraction as it is all outdoors. Most of the attraction require dogs to be kept on a lead, including the well and the cave. Dogs are not allowed at the playground for health and safety reasons. The museum and gift shop don’t allow dogs inside, but guide dogs are allowed. They also provide refreshments that are suitable for dogs including “Puppiccino”s and Doggy Ice Creams. There are water bowls provided in the food vendor area too.

Parking

All visitor parking is immediately after you drive into the main entrance. Traffic marshals will assist vehicles on where to park once you have checked in. It is important to note that charges apply per vehicle visiting this outdoor attraction in Knaresborough. There is other parking available nearby, including the Conyngham Hall public car park. There is other parking throughout the market town on Knaresborough within walking distance of the outdoor attraction. However, there may be a lot of hills as the town is a very hilly location.

Public Transport

The nearest bus stop is just along from the main entrance to Mother Shipton’s Cave. You can catch a bus here from Harrogate.  You can also catch the 74 to York, Grassington, Otley, Ilkley and Bolton Abbey. There is a train station in Knaresborough to catch a train from Leeds and York.

Conclusion

We hope this listing was helpful in your search for things to do and outdoor attractions in Knaresborough and Yorkshire. For a similar listing in North Yorkshire, see our listing on Ripley Castle.