Mayor’s Medieval Family Fun Day 10th May 2025

Published: 02 April 2025

Mayor’s Medieval Family Fun Day 10^th May 2025

Knaresborough Mayor, Margy Longhurst wants to end her mayoral year on a high by offering a treat for local families. She explained that “The aim of the event is to raise money for the Mayor’s charities: The Knaresborough Museum Association and The Chapel of Our Lady of the Crag, but I also want people to have fun and to learn more about Knaresborough’s exciting Medieval past”.

The event will take place at Knaresborough House on Saturday 10^th May from 11am until 5pm. One room will be laid out for children to take part in a range of activities including creating a Medieval bookmark, tussy mussy (pomander), pilgrim’s badge and a Medieval board game. There will also be craft demonstrations, Nun Tabbetha giving out pardons for those who have been naughty, and a bestiary workshop where you can find out about Medieval fantastic beasts.

In Medieval times, Knaresborough was an important place of pilgrimage. As 2025 is the Year of the Pilgrim and to honour this history, visitors can partake in a light-hearted pilgrimage along Waterside to the town’s unique Grade 1 listed Marian Shrine. They will be led by the Mayor’s Town Guides, who will entertain them with Knaresborough related stories en route, and will be welcomed by knowledgeable chapel volunteers on arrival.

A new painting of Medieval pilgrims in Knaresborough by James McKay will be unveiled and displayed alongside another of his paintings of Knaresborough Castle in the 1400s. There will be an exhibition on Medieval Knaresborough and Chaucer’s links to Knaresborough along with rare Medieval artefacts. Throughout the day there will also be several talks, a raffle, stalls and refreshments.

Tickets cost £5 for adults, £3 for children and a family ticket is £15. Tickets can be prebooked at Knaresborough Heritage Centre or purchased on the day.