Knaresborough

Knaresborough is a market town on the River Nidd in Harrogate district, England, spreading along steep limestone cliffs crossed by a tall Victorian railway viaduct. Pale stone buildings stand close together on narrow streets, while below the river flows through a wooded gorge.

A Norman nobleman built a castle here around 1100 on the cliffs above the Nidd, which later became royal property. During the Civil War in the 17th century it suffered heavy damage by siege and was not rebuilt afterward.

The name comes from Old English and means 'Hardinga's stronghold', with the suffix -borough indicating a fortified settlement. Today, traces of that past appear in the narrow lanes and stone-framed squares, where local shops and cafés line up side by side.

You can reach the place easily on foot, with steep steps and paths leading down to the river and back up. Anyone visiting the castle ruins should wear sturdy shoes, as some paths are uneven.

On the riverbank stands a rock with the profile of a human face, which locals call the 'dropping well' because the dripping water coats objects with minerals. Already in the 16th century visitors came to hang hats or shoes by the spring and watch them slowly turn to stone.

Location: Harrogate

Website: http://knaresborough.co.uk

GPS coordinates: 54.00840,-1.46700

Latest update: December 11, 2025 23:15