Mother Shiptons Cave and the Petrifying Well

High Bridge
Knaresborough
North Yorkshire
HG5 8DD

Tel: +44 (0)1423 864 600
Fax: +44 (0)1423 868 888
Web: Attraction's Own Web Site

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Mother Shipton is England's most famous Prophetess. She lived 500 years ago in the times of King Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth I. She was born in a cave beside Knaresborough' s mysterious Petrifying Well, delivered as lightening crackled and burned in a violent storm.

As she grew older her prophetic visions became known and feared throughout England. She foretold the invasion and defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588 and Samuel Pepys's Diary records that Mother Shipton gave forewarning of the Great Fire of London in 1666.

Beside the Cave is the famous Petrifying Well, a unique geological phenomenon. Curiosity has drawn millions of visitors over hundreds of years, to see cascading water turn everyday objects to stone - as if by magic.

The Cave and Well lie at the heart of the Mother Shipton Estate - a relic of the Ancient Forest of Knaresborough. The beautiful riverside walks and carriage drives were classically landscaped with beech trees in the 18th century. "Sir Henry Slingsby's Long Walk" leads visitors to the Cave and Well.

General Information:

  • 2 Adventure playgrounds

  • Gift shop

  • Tea rooms

  • All day parking

  • Schools and Educational Visits arranged

  • No wheelchair access

  • Scenic picnic areas

  • Children's trail quiz with chocolate prize
    Opening Times
    (2011 times)
    February and March: Weekends only.

    Easter to 31st October: Daily 10.00am - 5.30pm.

    Admission Charges
    (2011 prices)
    Adult £6.00; Senior Citizen £5.00; Child £4.00
    Family (2 + 2) £18.00; Additional Children £3.00 up to max of 3.

    Directions
    5 minutes from the A1(M)well signed with brown signs through Knaresborough
    Post code for SatNav - HG5 8DD
    Show map of Mother Shiptons Cave and the Petrifying Well...

    Mother Shiptons Cave and the Petrifying Well Postcode for SatNav: HG5 8DD

    Nearby Attractions
    Knaresborough Castle (< 1 Mile)*
    A stronghold of Medieval Kings, Knaresborough Castle still stands towering above the River Nidd.
    The Royal Pump Room Museum (3 Miles)*
    Housed in Harrogate's premiere Spa building and site of Europe's strongest Sulphur Well, The Royal Pump Room Museum tells the story of Harrogate as a Spa.
    The Mercer Art Gallery (3 Miles)*
    Situated 100 yards from the entrance to the Valley Gardens and Royal Pump Room Museum, the Mercer Art Gallery is home to the District's superb collection of Fine Art.
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    * Distances shown are in a direct line. Distances by road will be longer.

    Nearby Hotels
    Best Western Dower House (< 1 Mile)*
    With a leisure club and a peaceful location in the market town of Knaresborough, 4 miles from the A1(M) and 3 miles from Harrogate, this charming hotel offers a warm and friendly welcome.
    Best Western Cedar Court Hotel Harrogate (2 Miles)*
    The Best Western Cedar Court Hotel Harrogate is set overlooking the famous 200 acre parkland The Stray and is one of Harrogate's oldest and finest hotels.
    The Kimberley Hotel (3 Miles)*
    After a 12-month, £5.7 million refurbishment, we are delighted that the Kimberley Hotel is now fully open.
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    * Distances shown are in a direct line. Distances by road will be longer.

    Nearby Self Catering
    Arden House Apartments (3 Miles)*
    Arden House Apartments are pleased to offer a luxurious 2 bedroom apartment set in a converted Victorian property. Situated only minutes away from the Conference Centre, this property has recently been renovated.
    Dukes Place (7 Miles)*
    Duke's Place is six well appointed, discrete, self-catering holiday cottages in the converted stables, Granary and outbuildings of the Georgian farmhouse.
    Skye Cottage (8 Miles)*
    Skye Cottage is a charming 19th Century stone cottage, stylishly furnished to a high standard, with the comforts of home, that can sleep 4 to 6 guests. David and Anne Watts pride themselves on attention to detail.
    Your property could be here
    Advertising your self catering property or holiday cottage on AboutBritain.com will get you noticed by thousands of potential guests every day.
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    * Distances shown are in a direct line. Distances by road will be longer.

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