On our first full day at Nidd Hall, as we continued our stay in Yorkshire, we visited Knaresborough. This was a first for both of us and we were particularly interested in seeing the railway viaduct so often featuring in pictures of Knaresborough.
Day 4: Saturday 11th March 2023
We followed the parking signs up the mainstreet and parked in the long term car park. We were early enough that there were lots of spaces. Walking back we did window shopping until we came to signs pointing to the castle.
From the grounds of the castle, I had my first views of the railway viaduct over the River Nidd.
I did manage to catch an image of a train going over the viaduct.
Knaresborough Castle
Very little remains of Knaresborough Castle after the Parliamentarians decided to have it destroyed. We didn’t go into either the museums or the what remains of the castle but instead looked over the cliff to the viaduct and the River Nidd below.
River Nidd
The streets down to the river was pretty steep and we where we could we walked on the roads as the pavements were still icy after the snow falls. The first house we came to by the river had this interesting chimney.
Looking up one of the alternative ways of getting down to the river.
The Black Mulberry
To warm up we went into one of the Black Mulberry tea rooms for tea cakes and tea. All around us in the busy room full English breakfasts were being served that looked (and smelt) delicious.
River Nidd
The viaduct again but now from the river’s bank.
Looking up we could see the fences of the castle grounds.
Walking back towards the tea rooms this busker deserved a donation and agreed to be photographed. We hoped that business would pick up later in the day!
This part of the cliff did not look very stable.
More steps back up to the town.
Our route was back up the steep streets.
Knaresborough Railway Station
To get back to the town we had to through the tunnel under the tracks. As there were people on the platform opposite we went through the gate to wait for the train that was due.
Here it comes after crossing the viaduct.
These are some of the houses we passed with decorated windows.
Knaresborough’s Market Place
Two of Knaresborough’s famous residents were honoured by having their statues on benches.
Mother Shipton was a prophetess according to folklore. We had hoped to visit the caves named after her after leaving Knaresborough. Unfortunately this Saturday the caves were closed.
Blind Jack was the first professional road builder in the Industrial Revolution . Reading about him in Wikipedia and about all his exploits it is hard to believe that he had been blind from the age of six.