Knaresborough at a glance
Knaresborough is a small town on the River Nidd, a short ride from Harrogate. The best-known views are the railway viaduct over the river, the ruined castle keep above it and the rowing boats on the water. It works as a half-day trip, or as a base when you want a quieter alternative to Harrogate.
The town is reached by a direct Northern train, and the Harrogate to Knaresborough ride takes 9 minutes. Local line 1 also connects the two towns.
Knaresborough Castle and the Courthouse Museum
Opening times and prices for 2026.
| Period | Museum and castle days | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| April to October | Tuesday to Sunday | 09:30–16:30 |
| November to March | Wednesday to Saturday | 10:00–15:30 |
Bank holiday Mondays are closed. The castle grounds can be visited all year. Adults pay £4.40, children up to 16 pay £2.50, concessions £3.40 and a family of up to 5 people £13. Sallyport tours cost extra. Season tickets are also available.
Access is limited. From the railway station the walk is about 10 minutes and steep uphill, from the bus station it is 5 minutes. The ground is uneven, there are historic steps and wheelchair access is restricted.
Day trips and tours from Harrogate
Dales and York day trips that start near Knaresborough, with live prices and availability.
The viaduct and the River Nidd
The viaduct carries the Harrogate railway line over the river. It has 4 arches and was completed in 1851. You see it best from the riverbank or from the castle. It is a railway bridge, so do not plan on walking over it.
Looking for more riverside walking? The Nidd Gorge lies about 2 km west of the town, covered on the Harrogate walks page.
Boating on the River Nidd
Rowing boats and punts from March to October.
When the boats run
Boats run daily from March to October, usually from 10:00 until 17:00, and weekday starts can be an hour later. Expect changes with weather and water level.
How to hire
No advance booking is needed. You pay on site by card or cash at Waterside. Ask for the current prices when you arrive.
Where to park
Parking at Conyngham Hall is suggested. Do not plan on swimming in the Nidd.
Getting there and around
Train, bus and the hill.
By train
A direct Northern train runs from Harrogate at, for example, 10:12 and arrives at 10:21. Services are about half-hourly in the day. Evenings and Sundays can differ, so check the timetable.
By bus
Line 1 links Harrogate and Knaresborough.
By car
The Market Place car park is open daily from 08:00 to 18:00, including bank holidays unless signs say otherwise. Twenty minutes are free, but you still need a ticket. One hour costs £0.90 and two hours £1.70. The streets around the castle are steep, so walking up from the car park is easier than driving up.
Mother Shipton's Cave
This is a private attraction with a cave and the Petrifying Well. The tale of her birth is a legend, not a proven biography. Check its own opening details before you go.
More Harrogate pages
Pair the town with another stop.
Knaresborough: frequently asked questions
How far is Knaresborough from Harrogate?
By train it is 9 minutes in the timetable example. Trains run about every half hour in the day.
How much is Knaresborough Castle?
Adults pay £4.40, children up to 16 pay £2.50, concessions £3.40 and a family of up to 5 people £13. Sallyport tours are extra.
When can I hire a boat?
Boats run from March to October. Usual hours are 10:00 to 17:00 daily, with a later weekday start possible. You do not need to book.
Can I walk across the viaduct?
It is a railway bridge, not a footpath. Look at it from the riverbank or from the castle.
Is the castle accessible by wheelchair?
Access is limited. The walk from the station is steep, the ground is uneven and there are historic steps.