Yorkshire Philosophical Society

Event Information

Geology-themed Walk Round Knaresborough

Friday 14th February 2025

from 10.20am to 3.30pm plus travelling time by train

£7 per person, to include Heritage Centre donation and YPS Admin fee (payable on the day in cash)

The Gorge at Knaresborough was formed in the last glacial advance when the previous course of the River Nidd, originally North and East of the present town, was blocked by an ice-sheet advancing South and West; the Nidd was diverted and cut through the lowest, softest rocks forming the new course. Solid rocks are exposed and exploited along the Gorge: The Permian Cadeby strata (Magnesian Limestones) overlap onto and submerge a surface of irregular relief eroded in the underlying Carboniferous Millstone Grits and shales.

Local resident James McKay, geologist and palaeo-artist, will lead us on a geology-themed walk looking at the Castle and down to Waterside (steep with many steps) and along beside the crags to several old quarries and back to the Market Place via the footpath on top of the crags (about 3.5 miles). There are many places to find lunch and after lunch we will visit inside the Castle, Courthouse and Heritage Centre (which is showing an exhibition on the history of linen in the Knaresborough district).

Trains run from York or Poppleton arriving at Knaresborough 10:07. Meet at Knaresborough Station, or at the Castle by 10:20. Maximum group size 15. YPS organisers: Liam Herringshaw and Paul Thornley

Image credit:  Knaresborough Castle viewed from Knaresborough Forest Park ©James McKay

Booking form: Visit to Knaresborough