A case for the museum
Travel through time:
CAVES to CASTLES Workshop Day
****THIS SATURDAY**** 6th June 2026 10am-4pm No pre-bookings, just turn up on the day!
United Reformed Church Hall entrance on Windsor Lane, Knaresborough – One entry fee enables you to try all our workshops plus additional activities
£5 for one adult and up to 2 children
£10 for one adult and up to 4 children
£2.50 for each additional adult
*Make a clay pot with self hardening clay
*Understand and create a cave painting
*Visit the nun who will prescribe for your wellbeing
*Take your prescription to the apothecary and make your own herb bag
*Create your own coat of arms and make a heraldic shield
*Try your hand at spinning with a drop spindle
*Ask our spinner how the wheel works
*Make a piece of cord from paper
All this and extra activities as well!
A Museum for everyone
Our community funded organisation acts as a community hub providing events that celebrate the history, traditions and heritage of Knaresborough and surrounding areas. Our activities include exhibitions, open days, family heritage days, school workshops, talks, guided walks, research groups and oral history projects. Our ethos is inclusive, we aim to provide life-long learning opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds and foster a sense of belonging and wellbeing.
What people say:
“Excellent exhibition. Staff are so helpful and filled us in with extra information. Well worth a visit!”
Knaresborough Museum Association talks
Projects and Research
We have a vibrant programme of projects and research, ranging from Public Health and Social Welfare from Medieval times onwards.
Our current exhibition unlocks the unique and compelling narrative about Knaresborough Forest. It’s a story that began several millennia ago, when vast swathes of forest covered nearly all of Yorkshire, before trees were cut down to make way for farming.
This beautiful exhibition not only tells the story of Knaresborough Forest but also celebrates a newfound optimism that we can restore our natural ancient woodlands for wildlife and for our own wellbeing and that of future generations.
A Heritage Centre Knaresborough can be proud of
Knaresborough Heritage Centre has a flexible gallery space for heritage exhibitions, talks, and workshops; a retail and reception area where visitors can find out about places to visit in Knaresborough, book walks, talks and workshops; and an office for KMA volunteers. For larger events we hire other local venues.
See what is in the Knaresborough Heritage Centre shop.
Our current exhibition in Knaresborough Heritage Centre is ‘Knaresborough Forest, Community & Nature‘ funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. It includes a unique Son et Lumière which is an impressive floor to ceiling sound and light projection, showcasing the beauty of our local woodland through the changing seasons, and the historic sites that remain in Knaresborough Forest.
It tells the story of Knaresborough Forest and celebrates a newfound optimism that we can restore our natural ancient woodlands for wildlife, our own wellbeing, and that of future generations. Everyone is welcome to come and experience the wonder of rare wildlife that is on our doorstep and celebrate the rich history of our area.
A Knaresborough Forest book augments the exhibition and is available for sale at the Heritage Centre. Special thanks go to all the experts and organisations who have contributed including, Keith Wilkinson who has campaigned his whole life to save Nidd Gorge Woods from development, the Long Lands Common team, ecologist Paul Andrews and woodland owner Alan Stirling.
There is no entry charge at the Heritage Centre, but we rely on donations from the public to cover running costs, eg to pay our rent and keep the lights on. Donations from visitors are essential to the continuation of our work. We are a registered charity run solely by volunteers and we want to keep bringing you exhibitions, talks, walks and workshops for a long time to come.
The Heritage Centre is open Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays 10am-4pm.