The fairytale English town set to be big in 2024 – with ‘magic wells’ and royal castles
A LESSER-KNOWN town in the UK is growing in popularity, with holiday booking experts tipping it to become a staycation hotspot in 2024.
Holiday rentals site has released new data detailing destinations in Great Britain that are tipped to be big in the new year.
Among them was Knaresborough in Yorkshire, which has been compared to a "fairytale" because of its historically interesting attractions.
Among them is the UK's oldest tourist site, Mother Shipton's Cave.
Some people say the cave is the birthplace of a witch, while others believe Mother Shipton was simply a prophetess who could predict the future.
Either way, locals and tourists alike come to see her dwelling, with its well that petrifies objects.
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People have been visiting the well for hundreds of years to see the objects its waters have turned to stone.
People used to believe that the petrifying process was caused by magic or witchcraft, adding further mystery to the story of Mother Shipton.
However, we now know that it is simply a result of the minerals that can be found in the well.
The same mineral-rich water is found in a wishing well in the inside of the cave, where tourists have to follow specific rules when casting wishes.
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These include placing their right hand in the water as they make their wish before letting it dry naturally afterwards. Wishes must also be kept secret, or they will not come true.
The cave isn't the only historical site to visit in Knaresborough, with its castle standing on top of a cliff, offering dramatic views of the town's viaduct that spans across the River Nidd.
The fortress used to be the stronghold of medieval kings and is now a Scheduled Ancient Monument, owned by the Duchy of Lancaster.
It has been an important site for several members of royalty, including King Henry I, who had work carried out on the castle in the 1100s.
It was later rebuilt by Edward I and completed by Edward II, who later stayed there himself.
In 1331, the castle became an official royal residence after Philippa of Hainault, wife of Edward III, took possession of it.
She would regularly spend summers at the castle with her family and it was passed down to her son John of Gaunt in 1372.
The remains of the castle are open to the public, while the grounds have been turned into leisure space, with bowling and putting greens available during the summer.
Additionally, the grounds are used as a performance area, with the Festival of Visual Arts (FEVA) held there each summer.
Another of Knaresborough's main attractions can be spotted from up on top of the cliff where the castle sits, with boating on the river a popular way to explore the town.
Visitors can hire a rowing boat and take in the views from beneath the viaduct.
Meanwhile, the town itself is a great place to spend a day wandering around, with its ancient cobbled streets making it "one of the prettiest market towns around" according to .
They added: "You’ll find cafes, pubs, shops and galleries dotted around the warren of streets that surround Knaresborough’s historic market place."
With several quaint destinations in Yorkshire, it's understandable that Knaresborough has gone under the radar for as long as it has.
However, its storybook appeal means it won't be too long before tourists start to make the most of it.
The Navigatio said: "Knaresborough is one of the many picturesque towns in Yorkshire, England. With a stunning viaduct, a magic well and castle ruins, this mediaeval town may as well have been stolen straight out of a fairytale book."
A night in Knaresborough for two can be booked from around £59.
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Meanwhile, this secret fairytale town can be found hidden in the middle of London.
And this town in Germany that celebrates Christmas all year round has also been compared to a fairytale.
