Details for Mother Shiptons Cave

Mother Shipton is England’s most famous Prophetess. She lived some 500 years ago during the reigns of King Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth I. Her Prophetic visions became known and feared throughout England, with many of them still proving uncannily accurate today.

The Cave, her legendary birthplace is near to the famous, unique, geological phenomenon - The Petrifying Well. See its magical cascading waters turn items into stone! The Petrifying Well is England’s Oldest Visitor Attraction, first opening its gates in 1630!

Mother Shiptons Cave & The Petrifying Well lie at the heart of the Mother Shipton Estate – a relic of the Ancient Forest of Knaresborough. A Tearoom and gift shop are also located onsite selling a wide of variety of gifts, drinks and snacks.

Over the years millions of people have come to see for themselves the amazing powers of The Petrifying Well. This ancient Well – formerly known as the Dropping Well –is believed to be the only one of its kind in England. At the time Mother Shipton was born, Knaresborough townsfolk believed the Well to be magic and never ventured near it, they had seen small twigs, leaves and perhaps a dead bird turned to stone in the Wells falling waters.

They were very superstitious in those days and believed that if they touched the waters they too would be turned to stone! They noticed the side of the Well looked like a...