Knaresborough

Knaresborough is a picturesque market town in North Yorkshire, England, four miles east of Harrogate. The town is bounded to the west by the deep gorge of the River Nidd, with a railway viaduct vaulting over.

The Tourist Information Centre is on Market Place HG5 8AG, near the castle. In summer it's open M-W F 10AM-5PM, Th Sa 10AM-1PM.

Get in
See also Harrogate, as many transport routes come that way.

By train
is on a loop of lines connecting Leeds (45 minutes, two per hour) and York (30 minutes, hourly); Northern Rail runs this service. Anywhere else will involve a change at Leeds or York. York is the better connection for London Kings Cross, with a journey time of under 2 hours.

At York station, the loop train via Knaresborough is shown as going to Burley Park, in the Headingley/University area of Leeds, to avoid sending travellers to Leeds a long way round. Conversely, the loop train at Leeds station may be shown as going to Poppleton, a small halt just outside York.

On trains arriving in Knaresborough from Leeds or Harrogate, keep your eyes open when you pass over the viaduct for picturesque views of the town and the River Nidd before you pull into the station.

By bus
Between Harrogate and Knaresborough, use the frequent Bus 1, see "Get around" below.

Bus 780 runs between Knaresborough and Wetherby, M-Sa every two hours, taking 30 min. It runs along B6164 via Little Ribston, and doesn't take the main road through Spofforth.

Bus 22 runs from Harrogate via Knaresborough to Ripon, M-Sa every two hours, taking an hour. Taking Bus 1 into Harrogate then going north to Ripon on Bus 36 takes about the same time. From Ripon, Bus 22 continues east to York, but you'd only take that route to reach intermediate small places such as Kirk Hammerton and Boroughbridge.

Neither National Express nor Megabus call at Knaresborough.

By car
By road, Knaresborough is on the A59 between Harrogate and York.

Get around
Knaresborough is compact and easily explored on foot. Cycling is a good option for out-of-town, e.g., Ripley Castle. It's only four miles to Harrogate but this is along the main road A59, which is often busy.

Harrogate Bus 1 runs from Harrogate bus station through Knaresborough (20 min) to St James Retail Park on the eastern edge of town. Buses run every 8 min or so, from 6AM to midnight.

See

 * What is believed to be the Boots is just round the corner.
 * What is believed to be the Boots is just round the corner.
 * What is believed to be the Boots is just round the corner.

Harrogate is worth a day to explore, and has better eating & drinking options.

Do
Walk along the river and take in the scenic views.

Rent a rowing boat for £6-7 per person (per hour) and go up and down the river.

Connect
As of April 2024, Knaresborough and its approach roads have 4G from all UK carriers. 5G has reached nearby Harrogate but not here.

Cope
2011's UK loo of the year is a handy, clean (and free!) place to spend a penny, in Fisher Street car park behind Sainsbury's.

Go next
York, Leeds and Ripon are easily accessible by public transport. You'll need your own car to explore the Yorkshire Dales and National Park.
 * To the east York, along the A59.
 * To the west Harrogate, along the A59.