GO knaresborough near harrogate

Knaresborough gets its name from its connection to a Knar which is a stump situated on a burgh or fortified site. The town can be found in a deep gorge that was formed long ago by the River Nidd and is about a mile from Harrogate.

From the gorge you can see the spectacular ruins of Knaresborough castle [map] that was built in Norman times by a baron called Serlo de Burg. It was rebuilt, after many battles, in the 14th century and the ruins date back to that period, although there has been a caste on this site for many centuries.

Many famous monarchs have been associated with the castle including King Richard II, who was imprisoned here in 1399 before his murder at Pontefract castle in 1400.

The castle’s life came to an end in the Civil War when, as a Royalist stronghold, it was destroyed by Parliamentarian troops.

Knaresborough is a fascinating market town where the traditional market has been held since 1310 and the earliest market was recorded in 1206.

This is also the home of England’s oldest chemist shop that dates back to 1720.