I grew up in the prettiest town in Yorkshire – it’s a real northern gem but most southerners have never heard of it
OFTEN referred to as ‘God’s Own Country’, Yorkshire is full of natural beauty and history.
And I was lucky enough to grow up in what many people consider the most beautiful town in the county, Knaresborough.
The historic market town four miles east of Harrogate is known for its scenic setting, historical attractions, and picturesque viaduct.
Just last year, Knaresborough was named one of the most up-and-coming travel destinations in the UK.
Below are five things I recommend everyone do when visiting.
Take out a rowing boat on the River Nidd
If you venture down by the river from either Bond End or walking down the steps at the castle you’ll stand at the foot of the iconic viaduct.
Amongst the cafes and houses are two boat hire places – Blenkhorn’s and Marigold Cafe & Boating.
Both are open daily, weather permitting, and are a great way to soak up the stunning scenery.
You can get right up to the viaduct as you row underneath it and it’s a fun thing to do for people of all ages.
At Blenkhorn’s, the price per hour for adults is £10. At Marigolds it’s £8. Booking isn’t required – just show up!
Grab a bite to eat at riverside cafe Marigolds
After some fun rowing, it’s always nice to grab a bite to eat or an ice-cream from Marigolds while looking out onto the river.
There’s a stylish indoor seating area with a fire and an extensive food and drinks menu – full English breakfasts, burgers, and even a fancy coffee selection.
If you have room for something sweet, they serve ice-cream from local producer, Yummy Yorkshire of Denby Dale, with up to 12 flavours to choose from.
Visit as many pubs as possible
There are a lot of pubs in Knaresborough – so many, I always lose count. I found 15 online, but I’m sure there’s more.
There are traditional pubs with rich history, such as Blind Jack’s in the market square.
Blind Jack, whose real name was John Metcalf, was a Knaresborough resident in the 18th century. He lost his sight at the age of six after contracting smallpox.
He became the first professional road builder to emerge during the Industrial Revolution.
One of my favourite pubs is Carriages, with its cosy atmosphere and tasty food.
The outdoor area is great in summer, with views of pretty Knaresborough train station.
Visit the iconic viewpoint of the viaduct at the castle
No visit to Knaresborough is complete without heading to Knaresborough Castle for the best view of the viaduct.
You don’t need to pay to enter the castle grounds, and I recommend seeing the view during the day and at night time, with the viaduct all lit up.
If you want to spend some time admiring the view, there are lots of benches dotted around – grab some fish and chips from Drakes and take a pew.
If the viewpoint is particularly busy when you visit, head down the steps leading to the river and you’ll pretty much get the same view.
Visit Malham Cove in the Yorkshire Dales
Knaresborough is the perfect spot to explore the Yorkshire Dales. Head 20 minutes in the car north east of the town and you’re there.
One place in the Dales that never fails to take my breath away is Malham Cove, about an hour drive away.
It’s a limestone cliff formation in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, formed over 12,000 years ago by melted water from glaciers.
The walk up to the top of Malham Cove can be difficult, but is totally worth it for the incredible views of the surrounding Yorkshire villages.
If the top of Malham Cove seems familiar, it’s because it was featured in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part 1).
Three fun things to do in Knaresborough with kids
Knaresborough has a number of attractions that will keep your little ones entertained...
Visit Mother Shipton’s Cave
Mother Shipton’s Cave is a paid for attraction named after the Yorkshire prophetess who predicted many things, including the great fire of London and the black death.
She also predicted that the world would end when the “high bridge” in Knaresborough has fallen three times. It’s collapsed twice.
There are many things to see at Mother Shipton’s, including a small cave where she was said to have been born, a woodland walk, and its main attraction, a Petrifying Well, where objects can be seen turned to stone.
Find all of the Knaresborough window paintings
Many of the houses in the centre of Knaresborough are decorated with illusionary window paintings known as trompe l’oeil.
They cover the many windows that were bricked up to avoid paying window tax in Georgian times.
The different painting include characters from Knaresborough’s past and are a fun way to see the town.
pick up a window map from the Tourist Information Centre and see if you can find them all.
Paddle in the outdoor pool at Bebra Gardens
On the way down from the castle to Abbey Road (further along from the boat hire places) you’ll stumble across Bebra Gardens, named after Knaresborough’s twin town of Bebra in Germany.
The garden is home to flowerbeds and rockeries and the bushes and trees home to different birds and wildlife. It’s a great spot for a picnic.
During the summer months, the paddling pool is filled up and offers lots of splashing fun for children.