Knaresborough is a small market town on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales and thought to be the most beautiful and scenic town in North Yorkshire. There has been a weekly market held every Wednesday since the year 1310 at least. Knaresborough
Knaresborough Castle stands on top of a 120 foot high hill overlooking the River Nidd. Built in Norman times by Baron Serlo de Burg the castle was a popular residence of English kings and has been in royal control throughout its history. King John had a particular penchant for the area and often spent time at the castle when hunting in the Forest of Knaresborough. The castle was later rebuilt in the 14th century and it was here that King Richard II was held before his imprisonment and murder at Pontefract Castle in 1400. In the mid 1600’s during the Civil War this royalist stronghold was destroyed by Parliamentarian troops.
Knaresborough itself is sited in a deep gouge formed by the River Nidd and is overlooked by what remains of the castle. It is a place of historical intrigue and mystery. There are a variety of ancient buildings and streets in the town including that of a house built into a rock and the oldest chemist shop in England. Dated 1720 'Ye Oldest Chymist Shoppe' was once renowned for its lavender water, however, today it is home to Farrah's of Harrogate the toffee company with its tea rooms above.
There are a number of memorable characters linked with Knaresborough. Mother Shipton who was born in a cave beside the river was to receive national acknowledgement for her extraordinary prophecies. Her mother Agatha died giving birth to her, and during her childhood Ursula was associated with many strange and mysterious occurrences. Even today her prophecies are still proving to be incredibly accurate.
Hugh d=e Morville was Constable of Knaresborough Castle. On 29th December 1170 along with three other knights he murdered the Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas a Becket. They were to be reviled by the people on their return to Knaresborough, however, Morville was later to build Hampswaithe Church in memory of the priest as an act of penance.
St Robert was a holy man who lived a reclusive life alongside the River Nidd. Many people from far and wide would visit him for his healing powers. The cave he lived in was hollowed out of solid rock and made into a chapel by St Robert. St Robert's Chapel has become a site of pilgrimage and visited by many sightseers today.
Guy Fawkes is known to have once lived in Knaresborough and as well as Edward III's visits to the area, Oliver Cromwell was said to have slept in a fishing lodge here.
Every year many large social events are held in the town for locals and visitors alike.
Knaresborough is served by Knaresborough railway station on the Harrogate line to York and is serviced by Northern Rail. The town lies four miles from junction 47 of the A1(M) motorway.
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