A Brilliant 33rd Birthday (including a visit to Mother Shipton’s Cave)

This week I have had a brilliant time celebrating my 33rd Birthday. I’ve seen my brother Shaun for coffee, had tea out with mum and papa, seen Jayne for coffee and cake, spent a wonderful day at Mother Shipton’s Cave and in Knaresborough with Simon and am seeing Kay tomorrow. I received some lovely cards and great gifts. The most brilliant thing has been catching up with people.

But a highlight has to be visiting Mother Shipton’s Cave. Here are some photos from the cave visit:

Mother Shipton’s Cave.	Simon and I, the famous Petrifying Well behind us.
This is Beech Ave. It has some of the oldest beech trees in Britain.	The stream that leads down to the Petrifying Well.
The top of the Petrifying Well.	The Petrifying Well. Normally the rock above would have worn away due to erosion, but because of the unique properties of the water, that turns things to stone, a layer of stone has built up and protected the rock underneath.
A side view of the Petrifying Well (1).	A side view of the Petrifying Well (2).
Ivy at the side of the well has began to crystalise from the water splash back from the Petrifying Well.	The entrance to Mother Shipton’s Cave.
A rock carving impression of Mother Shipton within her cave.	The naturally formed Wishing Well (1). Simon and I both made a wish.
The naturally formed Wishing Well (2).	A sculpture of Mother Shipton in the small museum/gift shop.
Just a silly photo of me.

Essential Info

• Mother Shipton’s Cave includes: some of the oldest beech trees in Britain, a cave where Mother Shipton (a Witch in the 17th Century) was said to have lived. A Petrifying Well that turns things into stone (due to the unique make up of the water), a naturally formed wishing well, a park for children (with picnic benches) and a small shop/museum. It is located in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, England. This attraction could be fully completed in about an hour.
• Admission Price: £9-10 for an adult. This is on the expensive side for what is on offer, however it does include an all day come and go wristband. This means that you could leave the attraction to go into the market town of Knaresborough.
• Opening Times: Vary, view here.
• Parking: £1-2, with plenty available.
• Toilets.
• Has a small gift shop and museum combined.
• Useful to know: Wednesday’s are market day in Knaresborough, so worth visiting on a Wednesday if you can. That way you can do the cave, markets and get something to eat in the many pubs/restaurants in the town.

I’ve had a fantastic birthday, but the week of annual leave that I’ve taken for my birthday has gone far too quickly as always.

Blog soon,

Antony