Knaresborough
{{infobox England place with map|
Place= Knaresborough | Map = Knaresborough - North Yorkshire dot.png | Population = 14,740 | District= Harrogate | Region= Yorkshire and the Humber | County= North Yorkshire | Ceremonial= North Yorkshire | Traditional= North Yorkshire | Constituency= Harrogate and Knaresborough | PostalTown= KNARESBOROUGH | PostCode= HG5 | DiallingCode= 01423 | GridReference= SE302552 | Euro= Yorkshire and the Humber | Police= North Yorkshire Police | Overlooking the River Nidd in Knaresborough |
Knaresborough is an historic market town and spa town in the Borough of Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England, located four miles east of Harrogate town.The Bishop of Knaresborough is a suffragan bishop in the Diocese of Ripon and Leeds.Sights in the town include remains of Knaresborough Castle, Mother Shipton's petrifying well and several cave dwellings, one a chapel, dating from the Middle Ages. Knaresborough is also the site of the oldest chemist shop in England, opened in 1720.
Every year the town hosts a number of large social events, chief among them being the Knaresborough Bed Race. Every summer, teams of locals and visitors, comprising six runners and one passenger, decorate special tube frame 'beds' for a parade through the town. Then, once the beds have been stripped of their non-essential decorations, they compete to push the bed on a combination race/time trial through the town. The climax of the race comes when the teams must cross the river Nidd and climb a steep muddy bank to reach the finish line. Beds without sufficient flotation devices have been known to sink. Although most teams are local, competitors often come from across the country and from Knaresborough's German twin town Bebra to compete. Past celebrities who have taken part include James Whale and Peter Duncan, who famously ran the course for his show 'Duncan Dares'.* Mother Shipton was a medieval seer who is said to have been born in a cave south of the town. Born Ursula Southeil around 1488, Mother Shipton is now considered to be largely mythical.
* John Metcalf, otherwise known as "Blind Jack". Blind Jack was born on August 15th, 1717 into a working class family and had a typical upbringing. At the age of six, he lost his sight to a smallpox infection. Losing his sight in childhood did not deter him from carrying on a productive life as he learned to play the violin and guided people around Knaresborough. Later in life he became a roadmaker, building hundreds of roads and bridges in the Northern England. Blind Jack died in 1810 at the age of 92 in Spofforth.
* Guy Fawkes once lived in Knaresborough
* Richard II was imprisoned in the town
* The four knights accused of murdering Thomas Beckett were also said to have taken refuge in Knaresborough.
* The noted 18th century scholar and murderer Eugene Aram lived here.Knaresborough is served by Knaresborough railway station, on the Harrogate to York line.Knaresborough Town are the town's predominent football team. Housed at Manse Lane, they are the only club in the town to have an authentic setup. However, Knaresborough Celtic also provide youth footaball, with junior teams from Under 6's to Under 17's.
Knaresborough Forest Cricket Club were crowned Nidderdale League Division 3 winners in 2005.*Knaresborough Online
*Knaresborough Mini Guide
*Knaresborough Online Knaresborough Community Website.
*[1] Knaresborough Bed Race
*Knaresborough Forest Cricket Club
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