Knaresborough ticks all the boxes for a festive family walk - Paul Kirkwood strides out with a turkey sandwich
1. Walk downhill from Knaresborough station. Fork right past pillared gates to pass church and down walled lane called The Parsonage. At main road turn left and almost immediately left down Waterside. (At this point continue ahead for a few yards for view up to castle from bridge then return).
2. At end of Waterside cross over road close to river bridge and continue ahead down Abbey Rd to pass beneath House in the Rock.
3. Visit St Robert’s Cave, a short drop down steps signed to right. At end of Abbey Rd turn left and first left down Farfield Rd then right down Grimbald Rd, soon bearing left. Turn right down fenced footpath then continue left to pass park. Keep ahead down shared footpath/cycleway past cemetery. Continue ahead as you reach end of road.
4. Cross King James Rd and follow path parallel with main road. Pass to right of swimming pool entrance and through park and by zipwire, bearing right to pass down an alley. Emerging on Iles Lane turn left and then right at t-junction onto Windsor Lane. At end cross Gracious St via zebra crossing, turn left then first right down Cheapside.
5. After Cross Keys pub turn left down Castle Yard. As road opens out to a car park turn left to enter castle. Head towards tower and viewpoints over viaduct. Leave castle via exit beside tower, cross car park and past police station. Keep ahead along street for 50m then, at Six Poor Folk, turn left down Kirkgate to return to station.
Points of interest
Knaresborough has historical curiosity for adults, novelty for children and this route is short, surfaced throughout (so suitable for those on wheels) but largely traffic-free, with a superb selection of places to eat and get warm. Time it right on Boxing Day and you can spectate at the tug o’ war over the River Nidd between patrons of the Half Moon and Mother Shipton pubs. The town is easily accessible by train.
Features come thick and fast. Look up at the House in Rock, a folly hewn out of a cliff face. The man who completed its construction, the self-knighted Sir Thomas Hill, flew a flag from the battlements, printed his own bank notes and fired cannon salutes on public occasions. Immediately, below you will pass the Chapel of our Lady in the Cliff, a wayside shrine also cut from rock which dates back to 1408.
While parents and grandparents will admire the grand houses and gardens on the far side of the river, children will have fun spotting carved figures in the trees including a giant owl, fox, eagle, kingfisher and spooky face as well as a small cave.
The riverside section of the route ends soon after St Robert's Cave, the former 12th century dwelling of a saint and hermit, tucked away at the bottom of steps. Robert built a reputation for herbal cures and as a friend of the poor. In the mid-18th century a schoolmaster buried the body of his murdered lover here.
End with the grand finale of a visit to the 12th century Knaresborough Castle perched way above the river and with a picture postcard view down to the viaduct.
Eat here
The Farm Dairy, Knaresborough. A proper deli with big bowls of olives and patés. I always get a goat’s cheese bruschetta if I’m passing at lunchtime and the spinach, chickpea, feta and sweet potato roll is similarly recommended. facebook.com/farmdairyknaresborough.
Six Poor Folk. Cosy and stylish café, bar and bistro in a quirky 15th century building. Menus include hot drinks and snacks, sandwiches, tapas, and traditional Sunday lunch. sixpoorfolk.co.uk
Compass points
Start/finish: HG5 9AA. SE348571 .
Time/distance: 2 hours/5.5km.
Accessibility: Excellent in all conditions. Largely surfaced and traffic-free paths.
Map: OS Explorer 289 Leeds, OS Landranger 104, Leeds & Bradford.
Parking: Conyngham Hall car park beside Knaresborough bridge.
Map link: bit.ly/YLKnaresborough.
