Mother Shipton's Interactive Map

Hover over any of the points of interest to the right. Click on them to keep them active.

The Picnic Area (Weir)

Eat your lunch at this beautiful riverside spot and enjoy the view of the weir and what was once the Old Mill.

The Picnic Area (Woodland)

This is a beautiful spot for lunch, high above the river and around the woodland playground, making it ideal for families.

The Picnic Area (Tea Room)

The beautiful riverside location and the handy tearoom nearby make this the ideal spot for lunch, one of three scenic picnic areas within the park.

The Dropping Well Inn

This family-friendly, historic pub, serving real ales and good value food, is situated at the rear entrance to Mother Shipton's.

Known for many years as the Mother Shipton Inn, the pub was closed for a while but it was recently reopened under a new name and new management.

The Petrifying Well Spring

Located at the top of the Well, the Spring is the start of the journey for the water that turns objects to stone.

The magical water comes from a natural lake a mile underground. As the water climbs to the surface, it travels along a narrow band of porous rock called an 'aquifer'. A massive amount of minerals are dissolved in the water, enough to turn objects to stone!

The Wishing Well

It is tradition for visitors to make a wish in the well during their trip to the park. Many advise staff their wishes have come true and they have come back to make more.

There are some important rules to take into account when making a wish, so please read them beforehand.

You can also buy bottles of wishing well water from the gift shop to take home as a souvenir or gift for a loved one.

The Petrifying Well

The Petrifying Well is England's oldest visitor attraction! It was first recorded by the King's antiquary in 1538 and has been visited since 1630. For many centuries people believed the well had magical healing properties and would come to bathe in and drink its waters. We've had the water tested for bottling, but there's far too high a mineral content, so please don't drink it.

It is here that you can watch everyday objects turn to stone in front of your eyes! Compared to a stalactite or stalagmite, the items petrify very quickly - a small teddy bear takes around three to five months and larger non-porous items can take anything up to eighteen months. You can even take a stone teddy bear home with you! They are available for purchase in our museum.

Mother Shipton's Cave

Mother Shipton's Cave is famous because of its history.

In 1488, Agatha Sontheil gave birth to a baby girl, Ursula, in the cave, during a violent thunderstorm. Mother and daughter continued to live in the cave for two years until Ursula was taken in and raised by a local family, after the Abbot of Beverley intervened.

Many people thought she was a witch. Early writings describe her looking pretty much like one - round shouldered, deformed and twisted, unable to walk without a stick and with large hooked features. She was constantly taunted by townsfolk because of her appearance, so to avoid them she would spend time near to her birthplace, picking the many herbs that grew in the forest.

Woodland Playground

Children aged 4-11 years can enjoy playing on the woodland adventure area. Please note - Children must be supervised by an adult while in the playground.

Children's Play Area

Children aged 4-11 years can enjoy playing in this children's play area which is close to the tea room and picnic area. Please note - Children must be supervised by an adult while in the play area.

Toilets

Toilets are located at the top of the park, by the main gate. Baby changing facilities are also available onsite.

The Tea Room

Treat yourself to a wide range of teas, coffees and cakes, choosing to sit inside or enjoy the riverside view outside.

Waterside Car Park (Abbey Road)

Abbey Road car park is situated on the opposite side of the river to Mother Shipton's Park and is pay and display.

Parking (Riverside)

We have two car parks on site - the riverside car park and the woodland car park. The cost of parking is £2 and is included in the admission fee. It is valid until the park closes at 5:30pm.

Parking (Conyngham Hall)

Conyngham Hall car park is situated across the bridge from the main entrance to Mother Shipton's Park and is pay and display. They also have a designated area for coaches.

Marigolds Boat Hire

Marigolds boating is situated on the opposite side of the river.

For further information please phone: 01423 869773.

Please note the boats are not part of Mother Shipton's Park.

Blenkhorns Boat Hire

Blenkhorns boating is situated on the opposite side of the river.

For further information, please phone: 01423 862105.

Please note the boats are not part of Mother Shipton's Park.

Bebra Gardens

At the foot of the castle grounds lies Bebra Gardens, a small and enclosed area looked after by volunteers from the 'Friends of Bebra Gardens' group.

The general public are allowed to walk through the grounds and enjoy the flowers and wildlife across the area.

Castle Ruins

The castle can be found on the hill, above the river. The earliest reference to its existence is in a document dated 1130AD, which records £11.00 being spent on the 'king's works.'

Over the years, many kings have stayed in the castle whilst hunting through the Knaresborough forest. It provided great resistance against the attacking parliamentary forces during the Civil War, even though the local men were barely armed. It provided an area of safe keeping during large attacks.

In 1648 the castle was partly dismantled so it could not be tenanted, and local residents started using the remaining stone to build their houses in Knaresborough.

Main Entrance

The main entrance to Mother Shipton's Park for both cars and pedestrians is situated at the North end of the park beside High Bridge on Harrogate Road.

Tickets are valid for the whole day and visitors can leave the park and explore Knaresborough, as long as the ticket is retained and shown on re-entry to the estate.

The Museum

The museum hosts a wide range of petrified objects, which have been donated to the park over the years. Many have been donated by celebrities and even royalty! We proudly hold some of the most delicate and historic items in our museum, including Queen Elizabeth's shoe which was donated to the park in 1923, Agatha Christie's handbag and John Wayne's hat.

Containing a life size figure of Mother Shipton (based on early descriptions with some of her legendary prophecies spinning around her head), the museum is a hit with children and historians alike. Several other life size figures (and a few heads!) bring history to life. You can also have an ice cream or buy a souvenir from the gift area.

Rear Entrance

This entrance to the park is behind the Dropping Well Inn at Low Bridge, and is for pedestrians only.

Tickets are valid for the whole day and visitors can leave the park and explore Knaresborough, as long as the ticket is retained and shown on re-entry to the estate.