Everyday Adventure: Knaresborough

Alfie and I had this weekend to ourselves as P had to work (womp, womp!).  On Saturday, we got our house re-organized since our furniture arrived - more on that in another post.  On Sunday, we took an every day adventure to the next village over - Knaresborough.  We took a quick 9 minute train ride over and spent a few hours exploring the town, checking out their castle ruins, and having lunch.  This was Alfie's first train ride and he was an excellent traveler!

Knaresborough is very dramatic - on a cliff by the River Nidd.  Its town center is at the top of the cliff and there is also a lovely river-side area on the lower area by the river.  The town was filled with dogs enjoying a warm afternoon and taking walks along the river.  A few people had taken out row boats, but it was too cold (and Alfie forgot his life jacket!).  After checking out the river side, we walked up about 300 stairs to a beautiful garden and the castle ruins.  The castle is in pretty bad shape - it was built in 1200 but destroyed in about 1600.  The only things that remain today are the ruins of the castle tower which was used for a short-time as the town's prison and the court building which is used today as an administrative building.  

Here are a few photos from our adventures on Sunday - 

The picturesque town of Knaresborough (vantage from the castle ruins!) 

Many of the buildings are painted in this distinctive black and white square design 

We encountered this beautiful garden on the way up to the castle.  You'll see the leaves are starting to turn here! 

The castle ruins today - not much remaining - especially compared to Skipton! 

Alfie and I took in the view...but the photos of us are not as good without our official photographer