Mother Shipton

The legend of Mother Shipton looms large in Knaresborough, and this gallery gives you the full story - or at least the version the town has decided to tell. She was a prophetess, supposedly born in a cave here in the 1480s, and locals have been trading on her mystique ever since. The gallery itself walks you through her life (or the myth of it), with period details and various artifacts that may or may not be genuine - honestly, who knows at this distance. It's not huge, and you'll spend forty minutes here if you're slow, twenty if you're not.

The real draw is the cave itself, which you can actually enter. It's modest but atmospheric, especially if you're into that sort of thing. The whole experience feels properly Yorkshire - a bit rough around the edges, not oversanitised, and refreshingly unbothered about whether you believe any of it.

History enthusiasts and anyone curious about English folklore will get something out of it. Kids under ten might find it a bit dull unless they're already into caves and curses. The proximity to Knaresborough itself - just a short walk from the town centre - makes it easy to combine with a wander around the viaduct and riverside.

If you're staying at Knaresborough Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite (just 1.8 miles away) or Harrogate Caravan Park, this is a logical rainy-day slot. Budget an hour maximum, then head into town proper for lunch.