What are the opening hours?

Monday 9:30am - 5:30pm Tuesday 9:30am - 5:30pm Wednesday 9:30am - 5:30pm Thursday 9:30am - 5:30pm Friday 9:30am - 5:30pm Saturday 9:30am - 5:30pm Sunday 9:30am - 5:30pm

Mother Shipton's Cave

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Mother Shipton's Cave

A mystical folklore experience. England's Oldest Tourist Attraction, including the Petrifying Well and Mother Shipton's Cave 🔮 Who was Mother Shipton?
(1829)

Mother Shipton’s is a beloved Knaresborough landmark and England’s oldest visitor attraction, open since 1630. This popular visitor attraction tells the story of Mother Shipton and the Petrifying Well. Historic Woodland Walk
A picturesque mile-long walk along the River Nidd features the cave where famous Yorkshire prophetess Mother Shipton was born. It is situated next to the Petrifying Well, a un

ique geological phenomenon. Over hundreds of years curiosity has drawn millions of visitors to the well to see cascading water turn everyday objects to stone - as if by magic. People around the world visit the park, a remnant of the Royal Forest of Knaresborough with some of the oldest, tallest beech trees in the country. Mother Shipton was born in a cave in 1488 and grew up around Knaresborough. As she grew older, her prophecies became known throughout England. She foretold the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588 and the Great Fire of London in 1666. She made her living telling the future and warning those who asked of what was to come. Fun for all the Family
Great for all ages, there’s fun for families in the adventure playground, scenic picnic areas, interactive trails during events, and petrified objects displayed in the museum and gift shop. Dogs are welcome in all areas, apart from the playground. For more information visit our website.

02/09/2026

🧙‍♀️ Where else in the world can you buy a petrified witch? 👀

One of the strangest souvenirs you’ll find… actually transformed by the Petrifying Well at Mother Shipton’s Cave in England, where objects have been 'turned to stone' by the well’s mineral-rich waters for centuries.

And now you can take home your very own little piece of the legend. 🖤

Whether you’ve visited us in Yorkshire or you’re discovering Mother Shipton's and the Petrifying Well for the first time, our online shop brings a little bit of this wonderfully weird place to you.

🌍 We now ship internationally.

http://myfmx.uk?c=sLR3Vga

02/09/2026

🍦✨ 'Witch' ice cream will you choose today? 🧙‍♀️

We’re conjuring up plenty of fun at our outdoor attraction, where you’ll find an adventure playground, ancient legends, natural curiosities, and enchanting themed events to enjoy during the school holidays!

Whether you’re a big witch or a little witch, it’s the perfect place for a spellbinding afternoon. 🌿✨

Which magical flavour would you pick? 🧙‍♀️🍦

01/09/2026

🎃 We know you can't resist a Halloween goodie... and neither can we! 👻🖤

We've just dropped a whole host of Halloween decorations, gifts, and spooky treats on our website, ready for everyone who's counting down to spooky season. 🕸️🕯️🍂

We've got plenty of frightfully good finds waiting for you.

🛍️ Shop the collection online now before your favourites vanish! ✨
www.mothershipton.co.uk/shop

31/08/2026

Swipe to see what our lovely visitors have been saying about us… ✨💬

We’re so grateful for every kind word, every visit and every story you share. 💚

31/08/2026

🌈✨ We’ve got 𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐊 of A Summer in Oz! ✨🌈

Our magical themed event is running until 6th September, so there’s still time to join us! 💛

We know some of you are already starting back at school, but if you’re still enjoying the summer holidays, come and make the most of that final week with us! ☀️

29/08/2026

✨💚 SHE’S ARRIVED! 💚✨

The wait is over… our very special visitor has flown back to Oz for the Bank Holiday Weekend! (29th - 31st August)🧹🌈✨

🎟️ There are still some spaces available, but they’re filling up fast!

If you’re planning to visit, remember to book online before you come. 💚

✨ Bank Holiday Weekend ONLY - come and see the Green Witch of the Forest before she flies away! ✨
http://myfmx.uk?c=B8Kyoz9

28/08/2026

𝐖𝐞 ♥️ 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐬!!!

Yes, yes, we know it’s still summer… but our preparations for this year’s Magical Christmas Experience are already well underway! 🎄✨

And we’re getting SO excited to welcome you for a festive event that promises to be more magical than ever before! 🎅

Have you experienced the wonder of Christmas at Mother Shipton’s yet?

Tickets are on sale now! 🎟️ http://myfmx.uk?c=5e7SwRC

28/08/2026

You might have seen our awards before, but we thought it was time for a little reminder of why Mother Shipton’s is such a magical place to visit! 💚

We’re incredibly proud to have been named Best Magical Experience by Vikings - York for kids and Small Visitor Attraction of the Year in the Tourism Awards, wonderful recognition of everything that makes a visit to Mother Shipton’s so special. 🌿✨

From the fascinating Petrifying Well and the incredible story of Mother Shipton, to our themed events bringing magic, imagination and entertainment to little ones, there really is something for everyone! 🧙‍♀️🌈

We’re so proud of our wonderful team, our brilliant actors and performers, and everyone who works tirelessly to create those magical experiences our visitors love.💚

🏆 Award-winning, wonderfully weird, and full of magic! ✨

27/08/2026

It’s been lovely to welcome lots of visitors this week who have spotted us on Countryfile! 🥰

Our episode featuring the wonderful John Craven, and of course his rather legendary petrified sock 🧦, was repeated on the BBC last week, and it’s been super hearing from people who have travelled quite a distance to come and see it for themselves!

26/08/2026

✨ 𝑨 𝑽𝑬𝑹𝒀 𝑺𝑷𝑬𝑪𝑰𝑨𝑳 𝑽𝑰𝑺𝑰𝑻𝑶𝑹 𝑰𝑺 𝑭𝑳𝒀𝑰𝑵𝑮 𝑰𝑵 𝑭𝑶𝑹 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑩𝑨𝑵𝑲 𝑯𝑶𝑳𝑰𝑫𝑨𝒀 𝑾𝑬𝑬𝑲𝑬𝑵𝑫… ✨👀💚

For August Bank Holiday Weekend only, a very special visitor will be flying back to Oz! 🧹✨
She’ll be joining the Good Witch of the Glade and the Jolly Scarecrow for one very magical weekend. 🌈💚

📅 August Bank Holiday Weekend ONLY 29th August - 31st August

So if you’ve been waiting for her return, this is your chance! 💫

⚠️ Please note: she will only be joining us for the Bank Holiday Weekend, so don’t miss her!

We expect this to be a very busy weekend, so booking is essential. Please remember to book online before your visit. 🎟️

http://myfmx.uk?c=B8Kyoz9

Address

Prophecy Lodge, High Bridge
Knaresborough
HG58DD

Opening Hours

Monday	9:30am - 5:30pm
Tuesday	9:30am - 5:30pm
Wednesday	9:30am - 5:30pm
Thursday	9:30am - 5:30pm
Friday	9:30am - 5:30pm
Saturday	9:30am - 5:30pm
Sunday	9:30am - 5:30pm

Telephone

+441423864600

Website

http://www.mothershipton.co.uk/

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Mother Shipton's Cave

02/09/2026

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