Look at the lumps half way up the rock face. The one of the left is a petrified top hat. On the right is a ladies bonnet from the Victorian era.

Ursula was not blessed with good looks and her rounded shoulders and twisted back led many to belief that she herself was a witch. Having been raised for most of her childhood by a local family she would often return to her place of birth to escape the constant taunts she would receive and it was here she discovered her gift for predicting events of the future. Her reputation grew to such an extent that even the court of King Henry VIII sent the Duke of Suffolk, the Earl of Northumberland and Lord D’Arcy to quell her predictions that were beginning to threaten the power of the King. In typical stubborn Yorkshire-woman style, Ursula refused to retract any of her prophecies and hit back by dishing out a few more, especially for the three ‘guests’.

In her mid twenties she married a local Tobias Shipton, a craftsman by trade. However, their marriage was a short one lasting approximately two years. The brevity of the marriage ensured that rumours of witchcraft started to circulate once more.

Despite never having children, Ursula gained the title of ‘mother’ or ‘old mother’, which was commonly used to refer to the oldest woman in a village. Hence the legend of Old Mother Shipton was assured its place in history.

Items take approximately three months to turn to stone

The petrifying well takes approximately three months to turn an item into stone. You will see all manner of items hanging from the line in the dripping waters of the well.

Years ago, it used to be possible to take your own items to be turned to stone, however this is no longer possible due to the overwhelming demand.

Some items are available from the gift shop, but items that have been petrified with a connection to a celebrity can be found in the museum at the end of the walk. The range of items is diverse ranging from Queen Mary’s shoe, to John Craven’s sock and even a hat personally owned by John Wayne.

When visiting the cave ad petrifying well, don’t forget to pay a visit to the wishing well, but make sure you read the instructions carefully. You must dip only your right hand into the water and your hand must be allowed to dry naturally. Do not be tempted to wipe it dry otherwise your wish will not come true.

The wishing well

Unlike other wells, leaving money (which is donated to charities), is not compulsory for your wish to come true.

However, if you dare to remove any money from the well, you are destined to receive nothing but bad luck.

Old Mother Shipton’s cave is set in a beautiful part of the town. It’s riverside walk provides some breath taking views with plenty of places to stop and have that family picnic in comfortable surroundings.

Allow yourself a good three hours to wander through the well kept grounds, view the spring, the petrifying well and along the managed walks. Oh and remember, when you buy a ticket, it is a day ticket. Hang on to it if you nip into the town centre because you can enjoy the river walk all over again from the other direction. Old Mother Shipton’s Cave, a highly recommended attraction.

View from the river walk

The original viaduct was built in 1848. This is the second one, which had to be built in 1851. Visit to find out Mother Shipton's prediction should the bridge fall again.

Peceful waters of the River Nidd

Related posts:

1. Beautiful Balderdale Tucked away in the south west corner of County Durham,...
2. Beamish: Time Travel in County Durham Beamish is, quite simply unique. It is not a theme...

The former Kings Head where Charles Dickens stayed whilst researching information for his novel Nickolas Nickleby in February 1838.

Related posts:

1. Durham City Charles William Vane Tempest Stewart, The 3rd Marquess of Londonderry...
2. Chillingham Castle Last night I went with a group of friends on...
3. Dunstanburgh Castle Standing dramatically on the cliff tops between Craster and Embleton...

Musician, Songwriter, Actor, raconteur, it’s hard to know how to describe Billy, or Mitch as he is known.

Billy’s career started way back in the early 1960′s and saw him in the line-ups of The Callies, Jack The Lad as well as Lindisfarne. Throughout this time he maintained a successful solo career as well as forming comedy partnerships with Brendan Healy and being one half of Maxie and Mitch.

His website is available here.

No related posts.

Jack Crawford was born in Sunderland on 22nd March 1775 and worked as a keelman transfering cargo from the banks of the river to waiting cargo ships.

By the age of 11 he had set his sights beyond the river and joined the crew of the Peggy at South Sheilds and served initially as an apprentice.

In 1796 he fell victim to the vicious press gangs who roamed the streets kidnapping people to serve in His Majesty’s Royal Navy. Anyone who accepted the King’s shilling ended up serving in the Royal Navy, often until the end of their days.

Crawford served on HMS Venerable under the command Admiral Duncan and in 1797 he took part in the battle of Camperdown. During naval battles of the day, there were no advanced radio communications or encrypted signaling. All communications for the battle group were through the use of flags on the admiral’s ship, hence the term flagship. A signal for the battle group to retreat and disengage the enemy was the lowering of the national flag, the Union Flag. Sneaky Captains would deliberately aim for the main mast where the Union Flag was attached because if the other ships in the group saw the flag fall, they would retreat. This prevented a full battle and saved lives and ships. During the engagement at Camperdown, HMS Venerable’s Union Flag was shot down no less than six times and Jack Crawford grabbed the flag each time. Scaled back up the mast and reattached the flag by hammering in nails with his pistol butt, preventing allied ships retreating. The British eventually won day andJack was proclaimed a hero receiving a £30 per year pension from the king himself.

No related posts.

When did you last visit a beauty salon that offered you a free beer?

Related posts:

1. Beautiful Balderdale Tucked away in the south west corner of County Durham,...
2. Lindisfarne – Island Paradise The island of Lindisfarne, often referred to as Holy Island...

Related posts:

1. Charles Dickens at Barnard Castle The Market Cross at Barnard Castle is a central focus...
2. Durham Cathedral View from the footpath across the river of the Cathedral...

The Customs House Theatre, South Shields

Here in the North East of England we have some of the finest musicians you will see on stage.

No related posts.