Hidden in Knaresborough Yorkshire, Yorkshire is one of the oldest tourist attractions in the UK, with a strange witch twist. Mother Shipton's cave is named after her mother Shipton herself, a famous prophet born in the cave during a massive storm in the early 15th century and a suspicious witch.
Ursula Sau Sasa Sasa Ira, also known as Mother Shipton, was said to have leaned down with her eyes wide open, and people immediately thought she was a demon spawn. However, despite her appearance, the young girl was respectful and grew up to become the town's herbist, and soon revealed that she could predict the future.
Her prophecies often began with miners about townspeople, but eventually one of England's most famous monarchs began prophesing about one of Henry VIII. One of these predictions was his departure from the Catholic Church and the creation of the Church of England.
The 12-acre site has been able to pay visitors since 1630, and now has more than 65,000 visitors per year, so it's no surprise that the caves of her mother Shipton had endured the test of time and remained open for nearly four centuries.
The cave also features unique geological gestures. In other words, the stone well is slowly inserted into the stone. This is because of the abundant mineral deposits in the water that accumulate on the surface over time and give it a stone-like appearance.
At the on-site gift shop, you can buy water from wells as well as fossilized teddy bears and other witch items.
One visitor called the cave “magic” and posted her experiences on Tiktok. A woman passing through @yorkshirefi said this trip is inevitable if she is in the area. If you feel lucky, you can even make a wish on a well inside the cave.
She said the petrifying well object's appearance was “almost magical.”
