Knaresborough is a small market down (pop.14,000) found by road and rail between Harrogate and York. The town is mainly situated above the banks of the River Nidd with steep roads, lanes and stairs leading down to the waterside where boats can be hired and many cafes visited. There is the remains of Knaresborough Castle overlooking the river and across to one of the oldest tourist attraction in Britain - Mother Shipton's Cave. Two road bridges cross the river and between them, also crossing the river, is a viaduct carrying the train service.

Old Mother Shipton is famous for her prophesises one of which says that when the top bridge falls down three times the world will end. It has fallen twice which is why the pub at the bridge is called The World's End

While wandering the streets in search of refreshment keep a look out for paintings in the trompe-l'oeil style which are painted on some bricked-up windows and alley walls (examples)

Tourist info

There are TWO trails in Knaresborogh both starting at the statiion where The Mitre pub is.

Trail 1 - The Mitre, Six Poor Folk, The Castle Inn, Blind Jack’s, The Royal Oak, The Market Tavern, The Cross Keys, The George & Dragon, The Wellington, The Half Moon and Mother Shipton Inn

Trail 2 - The Mitre, The World's End, Great Western Hotel called The Dower House, The Marquis of Granby Inn, The Board Inn, So!Barandeats, Hart Sports Bar, The Groves, The Crown and finally Carriages.

Blind Jack's looks and feels old. It has two small rooms on the lower floor and room upstairs. Bar has been refloored which means you tower over staff and counter seems low. Bare walls and wooden floor and furniture. It is home to Knaresborough's own micro-brewery. It opens at 5pm midweek except Wednesday (market day) when it is midday. Dog friendly.

Regular in Good Beer Guide (CAMRA)  …. including 2023, 2024, 2025

Have pint or two here

real ale     : Roosters IPA;  Charnwood Rainbow Fox;  Hot Fuzz (Wild Childe); Session mini IPA (Brass castle);  Perky Porter (Glutenus Minimus (York);  Mary Jane (Ilkley)

bitter         :Redwell IPA

lager         :Erdinger;  Flensburger; Left handed Gun;  Schodderhofer

cider        : Caplets Rd.

The Mother Shipton Inn (formerly The Dropping Well Inn, formerly The Mother Shipton)) is the only pub we visit across the river. It has a large beer garden by the riverside. In side it is dimly lit and is full of old (interesting) clutter. The front entrance is to a corridor with dining room to the left and door to lounge on right. This opens to a small bar area in front of a centre fireplace.  The bar serves on two sides. There is another area behind the fireplace while the bar continues round to the left. Beyond this bar is a stair down to a smaller room then out to the beer garden. Atmospheric. Dogs very welcome. Food not available Mon and Tues.

Have a pint here

real ale    :Hobgoblin Gold ;  Thekaston's Bitter;  Holy Grail; John Smith

lager         :1664 Bier Moretti;  Amstel

cider         : Strongbow Cloudy Apple                           Guinness

The Mitre has a split level bar to the right and a dining area to the left. There is outdoor seating opposite the station and a larger patio area around to the side. It is of the Market Tavern chain. There is a downstairs function room. Also offers accommodation and good food all day. Disabled access and dog friendly.

Good Beer Guide (CAMRA) -  regular … including 2023

Have a pint here

real ale      : Chop and Change (Vocation); Boltmaker;   Christopher (Great Sneck);  Hawksheads Pale;     Expresso Martini;   Modern Way (Roosters)

IPA            : Velocity (Saltaire); 

lager          :Veltins;  45 Degrees;  Amstel;  Leffe

cider          :Aspall                                   Yorkshire Blackout

World's End is a pub at the end of the bridge. It has an L shaped bar with seating all round. Through from this is a large conservatory with large eight-seater tables. Through from this, or also accessed up the side of the pub is extensive multi-level seating and patio areas. These give views of the river. There is also a small outside seating area beside the road. NEWS

Check it is open in winter months. Lunch and evening meals; dog friendly.

Have a pint here

real ale    : Daleside Blond and World's End (both Daleside)

bitter         : Tetley Smooth

lager         : Carlsberg; Carlsberg Export;  San Miguel;

cider         :  Somersby                                                 Guinness

Now The Karesborough Inn having been taken over by Inn Collection Group and extensively refurbished.

Was Dower House Hotel is Best Western Restaurant and Spa hotel. One of the few with an actual graden for sitting in.

Have half here

real ale: 4 changing beers according to CAMRA

bitter         :Pedigree

lager         :Becks, Peroni

cider         :Thatchers                                                   Guinness

The Borough Bailiff  is a Samuel Smith's pub. The lane has an entrance to a large public bar. (Car park and outside seating up the lane as well). The High St door has a corridor which has the lounge bar to the right; a sitting room to the left and a very large room full of sofas straight ahead.

Last Sam Smith’s pub closes

Have a pint  here

real ale    : Samuel Smiths Old Brewery Bitter

Bitter         : Sovereign

lager         :Taddy lager, Alpine, Original Organic

cider         : Cheddar Valley                                           Extra stout

Marquis of Granby Inn is a multi-roomed pub. The corridor from the door gives a sitting area to the right; a bar to the left and a larger lounge straight on. The latter two having the same serving area. Lovely looking bar.

Sam Smiths' pubs no longer allow mobiles, laptops etc

Last Sam Smith’s pub closes

Have one here

real ale    : Samuel Smiths Old Brewery Bitter

Bitter         : Soverign

lager         :Taddy lager, Alpine, Original organic

cider         : Cheddar Valley                                           Extra stout

The Board Inn has a small bar serving a tradition layout for an L shaped room,  of seating around windows and walls with small round tables and stools. With floor tiled near bar and carpeted at seats. Has Sky and darts. Outside seating at back

Have a half here

real ale    :John Smith's cask

bitter         :John Smiths; Worthington Cream Flow

lager         :Carling, Fosters Stella, Coors

cider         :                                                    Guinness

So! Bar and Eats is a stylish modern wine bar-diner popular with families during the day and  at the weekend. It has a sofa area, dining tables are and some tall tables in middle of bar.

Food all day. Disabled access .

Have one here

real ale    : Black Sheep ;  South pacific (Rudgate);  Yankee (Roosters); Pale Aura (Bad)

bitter         :John Smiths

lager         :Lawless (Purity);  Estrella;  Birra Moretti;  Amstel;  Affligem; Toast

cider         :Orchard Thieves                                                  Guinness

Hart Sports Bar is a large multi area pub. The largest area has a large TV and modern alcove seating with small table and stools. There is a pool table to left of servery. At the L shaped bar there is a standing area on one side and a small tables on the other. Beyond the bar are two couched areas with the one closer to the window on the higher of the two levels. There is an outside area behind the bar. Can get rowdy when pool players scream and shout. Dogs welcome. Disabled access.

Have a half here

bitter         :John Smiths

lager         :Fosters; Heineken; 1664

cider         : Strongbow                                                   Guinness

The Groves Inn (formerly The Orange Grove and was also called The Groves) has a central bar with seating to each side and around the windows in front of the bar. Through from the left is an outside area, Tuesday offers on craft beer. meals lunch and evening; dogs welcome.

Have one here

real ale     :Landlord;  Hawkshead Bitter; Wainwright Golden beer

lager         :Fosters; 1664, Affligem;  Birra Moretti

cider         : Strongbow                                                  Guinness

The Crown Inn Wetherspoon's pub with extensive outside seating to rear. A disappointing Wetherspoons, basically a large square room with servery along far wall and a mixture of styles of tables and chairs. Meals all day; disabled access,

Have a pint here

real ale:  Greene King IPA;  Doombar;  Abott;  Bunny Hop(Purity); Hen In Black

bitter:  John Smiths; Punk IPA;  Shipyard

Lager:  Heineken;  Carlsberg;  Carling;  Fosters;  Coors; Hop house 13;  1663; San Miguel

cider:  Strongbow;  Magners; Cherry Bakewell Cider

Carriages is a restaurant wine bar with a pretty outside garden. The main door opens to a small dark room with wooden tables and candles. There are dining areas to either side of the bar and access to the garden, with some sheltered tables, straight though.

Closed Mondays, check times for lunch and evening meals. Dogs welcome.

Have a half here

bitter         :John Smiths

lager         :Fosters, Heineken, Amstel; 1664, Bier Moretti

cider         : Symmonds                                                   Guinness