Jo’s Monday walk : Ma Shipton’s Cave, Knaresborough

No doubt about it- street art is alive and well in Knaresborough.  Perhaps you remember my interrupted visit earlier this year, when I discovered it’s many windows?  Recently I was able to return to collect a few more, determined to make it to the other bank of the River Nidd this time.  Leaving the town and castle perched high over the river, let’s get down to Waterside.  The weather isn’t any better than last time, but still it’s a beautiful scene.

Despite the dullness of the day, people are still messing about in boats, and marvelling at the antiquity of this town.  Did you read the Old Manor House plaque?  The chequerboard building is an extraordinary sight.

Let’s cross over High Bridge.  When compared with the Railway Viaduct, it isn’t very high at all.  On the far shore Knaresborough Forest once provided hunting grounds for royalty.  My target today is Ma Shipton’s Cave.  Open since 1630, this is said to be England’s oldest visitor attraction.

Past the ghouls and into the woodland we go, following a winding path.  Through the trees I can just make out the rushing weir, more audible than visible.  Once a mill wheel turned on the opposite bank, where today smart residences overlook the river.

I wondered why the tree was so sad.  Perhaps it was the youngsters hammering coins into the coin tree.  Or maybe it was missing former friends here on Beech Avenue, site of some of the tallest beech trees in the country, dating back to 1739.

As it’s school holidays I shouldn’t be surprised to find several characters awaiting me in the woods.  Maid Marian was particularly charming.  Not so sure about the Sheriff!  He seemed to be guarding the entrance to the cave and the petrifying well.  A strange place, if ever I saw one.

If you read the signboards you will realise what an extraordinary character was Mother Shipton.  Born in this cave in 1488, as she grew older her prophetic visions inspired awe and fear.  She foretold both the invasion and defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588, and the Great Fire of London in 1666.  The Petrifying Well is a unique geological phenomenon, where cascading water turns everyday objects into stone.  More details, including how to get here, can be found on www.mothershipton.co.uk.

There’s definitely an atmosphere in those woods and I felt lucky to escape the wrath of the Sheriff.  Happily there was a very nice establishment where I could get my breath back.  I hope you enjoyed walking with me.

Thanks for your company everyone.  Blue skies have definitely changed to grey here, but we’ll put the kettle on and keep smiling.  Lots of lovely walks to share this week.  Please do visit, especially if there’s someone you don’t know.  Join me anytime on Jo’s Monday walk.

Let’s start with Cathy, because I missed her out last week.  A sad story, but some stunning scenery :

Dead Horse Point State Park

Liz and I share a love of the Algarve, but here’s somewhere else we both know and like :

My Monday Walk in Ludlow

Eunice enjoys a blue sky walk in her local English countryside :

Repeating a Rivington ramble

Why not enjoy a relaxed lakeside stroll with Alice, in South Carolina?

Jarvis Creek Park

Or join Janet in the peace and beauty of her watery world :

Monday walk…the first lake

You know I love a sunrise.  Rupali watches it rise in a special place :

Sunrise over the Charles Bridge in Prague

While Artfulinguist lingers over sunset in the most beautiful of bays :

15 minutes at Sidney Pier

Lady Lee is off to the Philippines soon and will be so happy to be home with Mum :

Ten Things of Thankful

Colline joins us with a spectacular firework display from the Eiffel Tower- don’t miss it!

First Walk Down the Champs Elysees

While Geoff and Dog pace out the bridges of London.  An excellent way to exercise!

Bridging The Gap #walking#london#thames

Poor Mel has had a rough time up till now, but there’s finally a reward for all the effort :

Day 4 Via Francigena, Verres to Pont Saint Martin, 19km

More serious hikers, meet Patrick and Paige, and the butterfly socks!

Mount Assiniboine

Nadine gamely carries on, and reminds me what a very beautiful part of the world I live in :

Day Two on the Pennine Way : Torside to Standedge, 12miles

Finishing off with more rugged and beautiful terrain with our Cathy :

The Upheaval Dome Hike in Canyonlands

That’s it, folks!  Enjoy, and I’ll see you all next week.  Take care till then.  Almost forgot to link to Sami at Monday Mural!

171 comments

  1. Another fascinating bit of history and what a pretty place with all the hanging baskets and floral displays. So much to see too. Pleased you came back to show us more.

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    1. We met friends for lunch and it was a bit murky by the time we got down to the riverside, Pauline, but I was determined to go and see Ma Shipton. Haven’t been there since Adam was a lad. 🙂 🙂 Happy to have your company, darlin.

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  6. You soared above the gloom to give us a second go at this treat of a place. I even spotted Harry Potter. More gloom in Shropshire today and lots of rising above required. Always good to start the process here. happy week, Jo.

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    1. Ah, but you have your plants to keep you happy, Tish, and it must be so much easier to tend them in this weather. 🙂 🙂 How’s the Man in the Shed these days? I’ve just done my 5 miles with the walkers and made a bit of lunch. Catch up time. Sending hugs!

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      1. Shed Man is nonplussed due to having 2 old fillings fall out on him within a week. He also seems stuck with his apprentice model of a static steam engine – about to turn one of the privies into a firing hearth for welding!!! But yes, the cooler weather is a boon to the plants. They are looking much happier.

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  8. That is quite a few windows indeed. Lovely you get to stop by again and have another look at them. Maid Marion does look charming and she has such a lovely smile. The woods does look like a magical place to wander around and feel like you are in a fairytale wonderland. Hope that kettle made some great drinks and the grey skies go away soon. Have a good week 🙂

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  9. Pingback: Repeating a Rivington ramble – Life In The Mouse House

  12. What a lovely place! Never knew Knaresborough was such a picturesque town. You really aren’t helping our future travel plans Jo as I’ll need to add it to the ever-expanding list of places to visit.

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  13. Years ago, my son had a vac job at Mother Shipton’s. Everything from cleaning the loos to making lunches to giving guided tours. He was once ticked off for not being suitably reverential about Saint Mother Shipton! And you were in Knaresborough and never came round for tea (and cake!) here? It’s nobbut a step ….

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  14. What an enchanting walk. The weather might have been dull but there seemed to be a lot of colour and a few unusual sights in the area. BTW I used to be known as Maid Miri, lol. Have a great week Jo 🙂

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    1. Harrogate’s a bit of an odd one, Debs. I’ve never yet made it to the Spa and Baths. Way too much traffic there for my liking. We have Algarve friends staying in Knaresborough this summer and it gave us a good excuse for a revisit. Not been to the cave since I was a youngster. 🙂 🙂

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  20. I remember being taken to Knaresborough by my parents when I was a kid, I was so bored out of my mind that I’ve never wanted to go there since but your photos are really helping to change my mind. I love the street art and the chequerboard building, Mother Shipton’s Cave looks intriguing and the riverside looks lovely. Thanks for the walk – bring back the blue skies and I could very well be tempted 🙂

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    1. I’m not hopeful for the blue skies. Especially today 😦 😦 We have friends there so we combined a visit to them. I really like the place. So much character! 🙂

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