The festival has been held on same date every year since 1966
People enjoy the hot weather in rowing boats underneath the Knaresborough Viaduct on River Nidd(Image: PA)
A North Yorkshire market town is much more vibrant than its traditional image suggests. With cobbled streets, stone staircases and stunning cliffside views, the town swaps its medieval charm for colour and excitement during the annual Great Knaresborough Bed Race.
Knaresborough is located on the cliffs above the River Nidd and crossed by a railway viaduct. Cobbled paths and staircases are carved into the rugged cliff face, guiding you down to the road beneath. Houses are dotted along the hillside while some structures are built into the sandstone.
The marketplace comes to life every Wednesday with fresh produce, whole foods, plants and flowers. Although the town is fairly small, with only around 15,000 people calling it home, there’s still a wealth of hospitality to celebrate
The Dining Room at Goldsborough Hall offers an indulgent getaway steeped in classic beauty, the Worlds End pub provides cold pints, home cooked food and riverside views, while the Castle Creamery has you covered for sweet treats and coffee all year round.
One of Knaresborough’s top attractions is the ruins of its medieval castle. Initially constructed around 1100 and then rebuilt between 1301 to 1307, most of it has fallen to the ravages of time, but the ruins are substantial and open to the public on certain days of the year. If you want the best views of the town, then look no further.
Allerton Castle(Image: Handout)
The ruins aren’t to to be confused with Allerton Castle, one of North Yorkshire’s most beautiful venues. With stunning gothic architecture and expansive gardens, the premises are used for everything from weddings and private hire to creating the perfect backdrop for television and film.
Some of the most notable productions include The Secret Garden, Sherlock Holmes – The Sign of Four, Victoria, Europe’s Strongest Man and Location, Location, Location.
Competitors in the fancy dress parade ahead of the Great Knaresborough Bed Race(Image: PA)
Ever since 1966, on the second Saturday of June, the Great Knaresborough Bed Race takes place. The town reaches its highest point of the year as decorated beds, passengers and runners fill the street, taking on a 2.4 mile long race course before a challenging 30-yard swim through the River Nidd.
The festival includes bands, floats, dancing, marching groups and colourful costumes, with an estimated 30,000 visiting for the occasions.
The 2025 theme was television advertisements, which most people took as a chance to dress up as their favourite food, with outfits including including Dairy Milk bars, a box of Ferrero Rocher and McVities Penguins.
Competitors cross the River Nidd during the Great Knaresborough Bed Race(Image: PA)
On the outskirts of the town, you’ll find one of Knaresborough’s hidden treasures – Mother Shipton’s Cave.
Claimed to be England’s oldest tourist attraction, dating back to 1630, it’s thought to be the birthplace of Mother Shipton, a renowned prophetess who allegedly predicted several historical events, including the Great Fire of London and the defeat of the Spanish Armada.
In addition to being the home of Mother Shipton, the cave also houses a Petrifying Well, which “turns items into stone”. There’s even a museum on site showcasing petrified items left over the years, including a shoe left by Queen Mary in 1923.
