Mother Shipton's Cave — Attraction in Knaresborough

Excellent day out for the family with plenty to do, make sure you've got your walking boots on though. There's some amazing views, an awsome gift shop and all the staff are very friendly. On site parking is £2 for the whole day, descent admission price and boating price. Historical and interesting place...

THE STORY

Mother Shipton is England's most famous prophetess. She foretold the fates of several rulers within and just after her lifetime, as well as the invention of iron ships, the Great Fire of London in 1666, the defeat of the Spanish Armada... and even the end of the world.

Mother Shipton was born Ursula Sontheil in 1488, during the reign of Henry VII, father of Henry VIII. Although little is known about her parents, legend has it that she was born during a violent thunderstorm in a cave on the banks of the River Nidd in Knaresborough. Her mother, Agatha, was just fifteen years old when she gave birth, and despite being dragged before the local magistrate, she would not reveal who the father was.

With no family and no friends to support her, Agatha raised Ursula in the cave on her own for two years before the Abbott of Beverley took pity on them and a local family took Ursula in. Agatha was taken to a nunnery far away, where she died some years later. She never saw her daughter again.

Ursula grew up around Knaresborough. She was a strange child, both in looks and in nature. Her nose was large and crooked, her back bent and her legs twisted. Just like a witch. She was taunted and teased by the local people and so in time she learnt she was best off on her own. She spent most of her days around the cave where she was born. There she studied the forest, the flowers and herbs and made remedies and potions with them.

When she was twenty-four she met a young man by the name of Tobias Shipton. He was a carpenter from the city of York. Tobias died a few years later, before they had any children, but Ursula kept his name, Shipton. The Mother part followed later, when she was an old woman.

As well as making traditional remedies, Mother Shipton had another gift. She could predict the future. It started off with small premonitions but as she practiced she became more confident and her powers grew. Soon she was known as Knaresborough’s Prophetess, a witch. She made her living telling the future and warning those who asked of what was to come. After a long life, she died in 1561, aged 73.

Since the mid-17th century there have been more than fifty different editions of books about Mother Shipton and her prophecies, some purporting to tell her life story in considerable detail. One of the earliest accounts was said to have recorded the sayings of Mother Shipton, as told to a Joanne Waller, who died soon afterwards at the great age of ninety-four. That would mean Joanne, as a young girl, had listened to the old lady not long before her death in 1561.

Although we cannot be sure how much of the legend is true, what must be certain is that 500 years ago a woman called Mistress Shipton lived here in Knaresborough and that when she spoke people believed her and passed her words on.

The prophecies may not be all historically correct and the stories may have been embellished slightly over the centuries, but she remains one of those legendary figures of romance and folklore entwined in our imaginations and the local...

Really cool place to visit, with seasonal themes depending on when you go. We visited just over a week ago, so as you can expect there was a heavy emphasis on Easter with Beatrix Potter-inspired set designs and Alice in Wonderland actors, music and puppets. Very well done and definitely something kids would love. However, plenty for those without kids to enjoy too - we visited without our little one, and still thoroughly enjoyed it.

The Cave itself is nestled next to the main river flowing through Knaresborough and is indeed a sight to behold. Extremely picturesque and an ideal location for a leisurely walk to take in the scenery and heritage. The venue is self-contained but you can still see plenty of Knaresborough as you make your way from the entrance to the event area (with tents stuffed full of eager actors, music and fluffy bunnies), before reaching the Cave and, of course, the obligatory overpriced gift shop.

I have to say that perhaps the most impressive element of Mother Shipton's Cave, even above the obvious historic value, is the quality of the main event space setup. The actors' costumes look fantastic, and are extremely engaging with younger visitors. The whole environment is very well done and is the absolute antithesis of the now infamous Glasgow Willy Wonka experience!

As ever, I cannot grant Mother Shipton's Cave the perfect 5/5 rating purely because I am a tight northerner, and begrudge some of the prices these places charge, especially once you've already parted way with your dosh to get inside, only to be hit with captive-market pricing for tea, coffee and snacks. Of course, this is all optional, but with the price of admission (which is more if you decide to park your car inside) being a tad on the expensive side, it's something I have to raise. Otherwise, a definite recommend for somewhere to visit, especially as you have plenty to see and do in Knaresborough afterwards (which is what we did). Will definitely be going...

We love this place, beautiful waterfalls at the start just after the knaresborough viaduct (bridge) good space for easy parking, amazing open air space with a big park in the middle greet for kids and adults and even a sand pitt. There's picnic tables throughout a d undercover huts incase its raining. so you can take your own food and enjoy it with your family while the kids play close by. There's always a theme on, and they decorate all the woods with that theme and put on a good show with theatrics and fun. They really go all out and make it so much fun for all the family. It's a lovely walk down to the petrifying well and mother shiptons cave where you can listen to the stories and the fascinating history of the place. There's the wishing well where you can put your hand in the water and make a selfless wish. Do not dry your hand when you remove it from the water. You let it dry naturally so you don't rub away your wish. You can also walk further down to the gift shops, which is fab and so quirky. There are a couple of vans selling ice cream, coffee, etc. The scenery of all of the mother shipton and knaresborough is so picturesque. It's a wonderful day out. I will just say that if you have a bigger car, don't try and fit through the ticket line when you first enter. Pull up to the gates on the right-hand size, and they will let you through there as the ticker lines are so small, and you will scratch your car up. I paid arouns £35 for my car of 5 people. Though we had an under 3 with us, too, making it 6 people. My car is an all space tiguan, 7 seater. Enjoy the fresh air and let the kids run wild. Well done to all the staff that make Mother Shipton so much fun and fascinating. We come...