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****************A warm welcome from a very wet Cornwall. It's been a few weeks since I have posted here but I have been very busy, honest!!! I have been de-clutting and preparing two bedrooms for decorating and had to have my skates on because my niece is coming to visit next month...but while busily re-arranging my house I came across a dear friend of mine who I have had sharing my home for some years. She is a charming lady who I affectionately call 'Mother Shipton'.......
My Dear Companion 'Mother Shipton'She's a little dusty since we had some building work done but I think it adds to her charm. After placing her back with her companions the real Mother Shipton came to mind.....
It was in February 2003 that I first visited Mother Shipton's Cave and The Petrifying Well and although I returned for further visits I have not been back for some years....
The Cave and Well is in part of the Ancient Forest of Knaresborough, Yorkshire. It was in 1630 that a wealthy local landowner, Sir Charles Slingsby, purchased this part of the forest from King Charles 1. In doing so he also became the owner of The Dripping Well, now known as The Petrifying Well, which waters were believed to have miraculous healing powers. People came from long distances to bathe in the well pool, to shower under the running waters and to drink in large quantities. Sir Charles saw its earning potential and so created an entrance at the bottom of the park and charged people for guided tours...
The Entrance today at the Top of the ParkThe entrance to the estate today looks commercilised but it does lead to an unspoilt natural park and lies next to a river. Fortunately with it being February there were not many people about so we could enjoy our walk to the cave and well in peace and quite...
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Before we set off for our walk (by we I mean my hubby Andy and me) a cup of tea in the tearoom was call for, a small building that blended in well with the surrounding foliage. It also doubled up as a gift shop so I had to purchase some things!! One being the book shown previously and two pot pixies amongst others. Ok so these pixies can be purchased in Cornwall but these were Yorkshire pixies..lol..
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As we set off for our walk the weather was still sunny and walking by the river was relaxing. Among the trees were the sounds of bird song and squirrels ran freely.
As we neared the cave a brave squirrel ran passed our feet, scurried up a tree, jumped from tree to tree and then disappeared across a field...
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The walk itself is worth it, you need this time to capture the essence of the place. By the time you reach the well your cobwebs have blown away and your mind is clear. Well mine was, don't know about hubbys..lol..
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I have many more photographs of this walk but I will be posting them on my blog The Primitive Cornish Hovel...
The Well Spring that feeds The Petrifying Well & Wishing Well with its Famous Waters 
Natural flat top with channels which carry the flowing waters over the edge of the Petrifying Well. It looks like a map.
Entrance to Mother Shipton's Cave & The Petrifying Well
First Glimpse as we Descended the Steps
Hanging Items Being 'Petrifyied'The Well was first known as The Dripping Well, then The Dropping Well but is now known as The Petrifying Well. It was first recorded by Henry V111's Antiquary who stood at the well in 1538. The magical waters come from a natural underground lake and as they climb to the surface they travel along a band of porous rock and dissolve the massive amount of minerals, just right for turning things to stone...
Me waiting to be 'Petrifyed' (much younger, slimmer, no glasses or grey hair. Eight years on makes a big difference..lol..)
This looks like half a face with two heavy eyelids.The two 'eyelids' are a victorian top hat and a ladies bonnet, recorded as being left there by a young couple on their way to York races....Is the Well waiting for them to come back!!!
This side looks like a face topped with curly hair. The gap looks like an open mouth with broken teeth. What do you think?
Can you see the eye? To me it resembles more of a mammal, but then again my imagination can work overtime..lol..
From a distance doesn't look so much like a face. Still impressive though...
Entrance to Mother Shipton's Cave
The cave was small but did not appear damp as other caves do. There were two other couples besides Andy and me and as we moved into the cave in silence a sudden loud sound like thunder vibrated around the cave. We all jumped at this unexpected sound only to find that Andy had activated the sound recording, typical of him..lol..Mind you it did add to the atmospher..
A Statue of Mother Shipton inside the Cave
This cave is the legendary place where in 1488 Agatha Sontheil gave birth to a baby girl named Ursula, in the middle of a violent thunderstorm. Mother and daughter lived here for two years. After the two years a local religious man intervened, the Abbot of Beverly. Agatha spent the rest of her days in a Nottinghamshire convent and Ursula was raised by a local family.
The Royal Place of Henry V111 heard her name and she was visited by three dignitaries in disguise to check her out.
Entrance to The Wishing Well
The Wishing Well. (Yes I did make a wish...)
There is also a small museum at the end of the park with some interesting items, some of which have been petrified, many donated by celebrities. There is a hat worn by John Wayne and a handbag used by Agatha Christie to name but a few. The most historic one was a shoe left by Queen Mary when she visited in 1923. There were also various displays and writings about local people and events. Some very interesting but I think I've rambled on long enough..lol..
Mother Shipton Inn
No day out would be complete without refreshments at the local inn. It was nice to rest next to an open fire with a warm drink, accompanied by the pub dog. In another room was a group of people singing and playing various instruments. A pleasent end to a beautiful day...
I hope you enjoyed your visit today. Until next time, take care..Hugs Chrissy xx
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This side looks like a face topped with curly hair. The gap looks like an open mouth with broken teeth. What do you think?
Can you see the eye? To me it resembles more of a mammal, but then again my imagination can work overtime..lol..
From a distance doesn't look so much like a face. Still impressive though... This is indeed a magical place. The water dripping from the well wall is a gentle sound splashing in the background as you walk around...
Its hard to imagine what this place is like in summer when it is heaving with people, the magic of the place, I feel, would be lost. I wonder what Mother Shipton would say to see so many visitors at this special place...
Entrance to Mother Shipton's CaveThe cave was small but did not appear damp as other caves do. There were two other couples besides Andy and me and as we moved into the cave in silence a sudden loud sound like thunder vibrated around the cave. We all jumped at this unexpected sound only to find that Andy had activated the sound recording, typical of him..lol..Mind you it did add to the atmospher..
A Statue of Mother Shipton inside the CaveThis cave is the legendary place where in 1488 Agatha Sontheil gave birth to a baby girl named Ursula, in the middle of a violent thunderstorm. Mother and daughter lived here for two years. After the two years a local religious man intervened, the Abbot of Beverly. Agatha spent the rest of her days in a Nottinghamshire convent and Ursula was raised by a local family.
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Many people thought that Ursula was a witch. Early writings describe her as looking like one, round shouldered, deformed and twisted, unable to walk without a stick and with large hooked features. She was constantly taunted by townsfolk. Almost daily she spent time near her birthplace.
Many people thought that Ursula was a witch. Early writings describe her as looking like one, round shouldered, deformed and twisted, unable to walk without a stick and with large hooked features. She was constantly taunted by townsfolk. Almost daily she spent time near her birthplace.
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As she grew into a young woman she realised she had a gift, she could predict the future, smal things at first, and local, but she got better as her reputation spread...
The Royal Place of Henry V111 heard her name and she was visited by three dignitaries in disguise to check her out.
She predicted the Spanish Armada, Air Walter Raleigh, Sir Francis Drake, The Fire of London and the Great Plague. Cardinal Wolsley threatened to have her burnt as a witch...
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When she was 24 she married a local carpenter Tobias Shipton who died two years later. Although Ursula never had children, it was customary to refer to the oldest woman in the community as Mother or Old Mother. She lived to be 73, dying in 1561 and it is reported that she knew exactly when her time had come. She said goodbye to her friends and laid down in the next room and expired....
When she was 24 she married a local carpenter Tobias Shipton who died two years later. Although Ursula never had children, it was customary to refer to the oldest woman in the community as Mother or Old Mother. She lived to be 73, dying in 1561 and it is reported that she knew exactly when her time had come. She said goodbye to her friends and laid down in the next room and expired....
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She prophesied many things and in the 1500's and 1600's became an household name. Samuel Pepys in his famous dairies recording The Great Fire of London wrote 'we should have been better prepared, Mother Shipton warned us of this 100 years ago'
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Mother Shipton's prophecies were recorded in old English and often in riddle and rhyme. The first Prophecy Book was published in 1641.
She prophesied many things and in the 1500's and 1600's became an household name. Samuel Pepys in his famous dairies recording The Great Fire of London wrote 'we should have been better prepared, Mother Shipton warned us of this 100 years ago'
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Mother Shipton's prophecies were recorded in old English and often in riddle and rhyme. The first Prophecy Book was published in 1641.
Entrance to The Wishing Well
The Wishing Well. (Yes I did make a wish...)There is also a small museum at the end of the park with some interesting items, some of which have been petrified, many donated by celebrities. There is a hat worn by John Wayne and a handbag used by Agatha Christie to name but a few. The most historic one was a shoe left by Queen Mary when she visited in 1923. There were also various displays and writings about local people and events. Some very interesting but I think I've rambled on long enough..lol..
Mother Shipton InnNo day out would be complete without refreshments at the local inn. It was nice to rest next to an open fire with a warm drink, accompanied by the pub dog. In another room was a group of people singing and playing various instruments. A pleasent end to a beautiful day...
I hope you enjoyed your visit today. Until next time, take care..Hugs Chrissy xx
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Some Prophecies Have Been Fullfilled & Others Remain To Be Seen:
'Iron will float on water as easily as a wooden boat'
'Thoughts will travel around the world in a twinkling of an eye'
'Chariots without horses shall go, and accidents fill the world with woe'
'Man shall talk and sleep under water'
'Man shall be seen in the air'
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