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4- and 5-star hotels in Knaresborough
A shortlist of the 4- and 5-star hotels we cover around Knaresborough, from town-centre houses on Kirkgate and Castlegate to country inns and cottages on the lanes outside. It is for couples, families and short-break visitors who want the gorge, the castle and the river on the doorstep.
Staying in Knaresborough
Knaresborough arranges itself vertically above the Nidd gorge, so the view from High Bridge — viaduct, wooded cliff, castle keep, rowing boats — arrives all at once. The top of town, around the Market Place and Castlegate, is a working market town with a Wednesday market running since 1310; the bottom, along Waterside, is a Victorian pleasure ground of boat hire, ice cream and picnic benches. The two are 80 vertical metres apart and the climb is real, and after 11.30 the town is shut.
The hotels here sit both in the town and on its edges: Kirkgate House, Clovelly House, Lilly Pad, Waterside Cottage Bed And Breakfast and Half Moon Cottage are named on Knaresborough streets around Briggate, Kirkgate and Castlegate, while Goldsborough Hall, The General Tarleton Inn and Blue Bell Country Inn stand on the lanes and moor-edge villages outside. Woofles Luxury Caravan and the Lido Leisure Park addresses sit by the river on the Wetherby Road side. Couples get quiet garden houses, families get cottages and caravans with kitchens, and business visitors get the larger hotels with front desks and parking.
The shortlist
Ranked by hotel class, then guest rating and number of reviews.
Goldsborough Hall
Church Street, Knaresborough, United Kingdom
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Spa
- Free car parking
- Breakfast in room
Why stay hereSet on Church Street in Knaresborough, this 5-star house combines a garden and lounge with a restaurant and free car parking, plus a 24 hour front desk. Guests rate it 4.7 out of 5 across 549 reviews. With family rooms and babysitting service alongside massage and banquet space, it suits couples marking an occasion as well as families who want a country-house base in the town.
See Goldsborough HallThe General Tarleton Inn
Boroughbridge Road, Knaresborough, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers
- Car parking
Why stay hereA 5-star inn on Boroughbridge Road in Knaresborough, The General Tarleton Inn keeps things simple for drivers: car parking is provided on site. It suits guests who want a rated, higher-category place to stay in the town and plan to spend their time out and about rather than in shared hotel facilities.
See The General Tarleton InnHalf Moon Cottage
118 Briggate Knaresborough Hg5 8Bh Knaresborough United Kingdom, Knaresborough, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers
- Free car parking
- Kitchen
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereA 5-star cottage at 118 Briggate in Knaresborough, this one gives guests a full kitchen with oven, microwave and dishwasher, a fireplace and a private patio, plus free Wifi and free car parking. Housekeeping, iron and board and non smoking rooms round out the practical side. Self-catering households, couples and small groups who prefer their own space to a hotel lobby are the natural fit.
See Half Moon CottageThe Sun House
Lake View Farm Farnham Lane Ferrensby, Knaresborough, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers
- Free car parking
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereOn Farnham Lane at Ferrensby outside Knaresborough, The Sun House is a 5-star option with a garden and free car parking, along with free Wifi and internet access. Every room is non smoking. It works well for guests touring the area by car who want a quiet, higher-category base with somewhere green to sit at the end of the day.
See The Sun HouseClovelly House
Kirkgate 61, Knaresborough, United Kingdom
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereClovelly House sits on Kirkgate in Knaresborough as a 5-star stay with a garden and terrace, plus free Wifi and internet access for guests. The outdoor space is the draw here. It suits couples or solo travellers who want a rated town address in Knaresborough with a spot to sit outside, rather than a large hotel's range of services.
See Clovelly HouseHigh Trees View Cottage
43A Abbey Road_X000d__X000d__X000d_, Knaresborough, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Travelling with pets
- Free car parking
- Pets allowed
- Kitchen
Why stay hereThis 5-star cottage on Abbey Road in Knaresborough comes with a kitchen, washing machine, dishwasher and shower, plus a garden, garage and free car parking. Pets are allowed, and free Wifi and internet access are provided. It suits longer self-catering stays, families and guests travelling with a dog who need parking and laundry space as much as a bed.
See High Trees View CottageRudding Park
Rudding Park Follifoot, Harrogate, United Kingdom
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Indoor pool
- Sauna
- Free car parking
Why stay hereA 4-star hotel at Rudding Park in Follifoot, near Harrogate, this one is the fullest facility set on the list: indoor pool, sauna, fitness centre and massage, with a golf course, restaurant, bars and room service alongside free car parking. Rated 4.7 out of 5 from 2194 reviews, it suits guests who want swimming, spa time and dining all under one roof.
See Rudding ParkBlue Bell Country Inn
Moor Lane Arkendale, Knaresborough, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa
- Pool bar
- Free car parking
- Lounge
Why stay hereThe 4-star Blue Bell Country Inn on Moor Lane at Arkendale combines a restaurant, bars and a lounge with free car parking, and adds fishing and a golf course for guests. Air conditioning, wifi and non smoking rooms are standard. Rated 4.4 out of 5 from 633 reviews, it suits diners and couples who want a country inn with food and drink on the doorstep.
See Blue Bell Country InnInnkeeper's Lodge Harrogate East Knaresborough
The Kestrel Vintage Inn Wetherby Road, Harrogate, United Kingdom
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Free car parking
- Family rooms
Why stay hereInnkeeper's Lodge Harrogate East Knaresborough is a 4-star stay with bars and a garden, free car parking and family rooms. Non smoking rooms and a safe are provided, with laundry service available. It suits drivers and families who want a straightforward, rated base near Knaresborough with parking and somewhere to eat and drink without leaving the property.
See Innkeeper's Lodge Harrogate East KnaresboroughKirkgate House
17 Kirkgate, Knaresborough, United Kingdom
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereA 4-star house at 17 Kirkgate in Knaresborough, Kirkgate House offers a garden, free Wifi and internet access, with non smoking rooms, laundry service and iron and board available. Its rooms come with private bathroom, shower, TV and toiletries. Couples and solo guests who value a central Knaresborough address and simple, well-kept rooms are the right fit.
See Kirkgate HouseWaterside Cottage Bed And Breakfast
Briggate 120, Knaresborough, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers
- Free car parking
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereWaterside Cottage Bed And Breakfast on Briggate in Knaresborough is a 4-star guest stay with a garden and terrace, free Wifi and free car parking, and a golf course for guests. Rooms include bathrobes, hairdryer and toiletries, and special diets can be catered for. It suits couples and golfers wanting a rated B&B feel with parking and outdoor space.
See Waterside Cottage Bed And BreakfastWoofles Luxury Caravan at Knaresborough Lido
Lido Leisure Park, Knaresborough, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa
- Pool bar
- Free car parking
- Breakfast
Why stay hereWoofles Luxury Caravan is a 4-star caravan at Lido Leisure Park in Knaresborough with its own kitchen, fireplace and balcony, plus garden, games room and free car parking. Guests also get fishing, archery, bowling and darts on site. It suits families and active groups who want a self-catering base with entertainment and activities built into the stay.
See Woofles Luxury Caravan at Knaresborough LidoLilly Pad
8A Castlegate Knaresborough, Knaresborough, United Kingdom
Best for: Breakfast
- Breakfast
- Kitchen
- Air conditioning
Why stay hereLilly Pad on Castlegate in Knaresborough is a 4-star let with air conditioning, a kitchen and kitchenette including microwave, plus free Wifi and internet access. A sofa bed and safe add flexibility, and cleaning, laundry service and iron and board are on hand. Couples, small families and longer-stay guests who want to cook and stay central will find it fits.
See Lilly PadNidd Way Holiday Let
Wetherby Road Lido Leisure Park, Knaresborough, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Travelling with pets
- Free car parking
- Pets allowed
- Kitchen
Why stay hereNidd Way Holiday Let at Lido Leisure Park in Knaresborough is a 4-star property with a kitchen, fireplace and patio plus a garden, free car parking and free Wifi. Pets are allowed, and fishing, a playground and restaurant are on site. It suits families and dog owners who want self-catering space and outdoor facilities at the park.
See Nidd Way Holiday LetNook on the Nidd Knaresborough
Wetherby Road Plot N3 Lido Leisure Park, Knaresborough, United Kingdom
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Free car parking
- Pets allowed
- Family rooms
Why stay hereNook on the Nidd Knaresborough is a 4-star let on Wetherby Road at Lido Leisure Park, with a kitchen, fireplace and terrace, free Wifi and free car parking. Family rooms and a sofa bed add room to spread out, and pets are allowed. It suits families and groups who want a self-catering base with a playground and fishing close by.
See Nook on the Nidd Knaresborough
The shortlist side by side
| Hotel | Class | Parking | Breakfast | Pool or spa | Pets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goldsborough Hall | ★★★★★ | Yes | Yes | Yes | – |
| The General Tarleton Inn | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | – | – |
| Half Moon Cottage | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | – | – |
| The Sun House | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | – | – |
| Clovelly House | ★★★★★ | – | – | – | – |
| High Trees View Cottage | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | – | Yes |
| Rudding Park | ★★★★ | Yes | Yes | Yes | – |
| Blue Bell Country Inn | ★★★★ | Yes | – | Yes | – |
| Innkeeper's Lodge Harrogate East Knaresborough | ★★★★ | Yes | – | – | – |
| Kirkgate House | ★★★★ | – | – | – | – |
| Waterside Cottage Bed And Breakfast | ★★★★ | Yes | – | – | – |
| Woofles Luxury Caravan at Knaresborough Lido | ★★★★ | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lilly Pad | ★★★★ | – | Yes | – | – |
| Nidd Way Holiday Let | ★★★★ | Yes | – | – | Yes |
| Nook on the Nidd Knaresborough | ★★★★ | Yes | – | – | Yes |
From each hotel's own listing on this site; a dash means it is not listed.
How to choose
For families
Woofles Luxury Caravan at Knaresborough Lido, Nidd Way Holiday Let and Nook on the Nidd Knaresborough sit on the Lido Leisure Park with kitchens, playgrounds and family rooms, and two of them take pets. Half Moon Cottage on Briggate is a 5-star house with a kitchen, terrace and patio for a family that wants the town on foot.
Woofles Luxury Caravan at Knaresborough Lido · Nidd Way Holiday Let · Nook on the Nidd Knaresborough · Half Moon Cottage
For couples
Goldsborough Hall is a 5-star house with 549 reviews and a 4.7 rating, with a garden, lounge and massage. Kirkgate House and Clovelly House are smaller, one on Kirkgate with a garden, one with a terrace; The General Tarleton Inn is a 5-star inn with parking out on Boroughbridge Road.
Goldsborough Hall · Kirkgate House · Clovelly House · The General Tarleton Inn
For a full-service stay
Goldsborough Hall has the widest range here — restaurant, bar, 24 hour front desk, laundry and free parking. Rudding Park is the largest, with an indoor pool, sauna, fitness center and 2194 reviews at 4.7, and Blue Bell Country Inn pairs a restaurant and bar with a 4.4 rating from 633 reviews.
For pets and parking
High Trees View Cottage on Abbey Road, Nidd Way Holiday Let and Nook on the Nidd Knaresborough all allow pets and all include free car parking. High Trees View Cottage also adds a garage, garden and washing machine, useful for a longer stay with a dog in the gorge country.
High Trees View Cottage · Nidd Way Holiday Let · Nook on the Nidd Knaresborough
Plan your stay
Getting there and around
Knaresborough station is on the Harrogate line between Leeds and York — roughly 12 minutes to Harrogate, 35 to York and 50 to Leeds, about two trains an hour on weekdays. The line crosses the viaduct on the approach, so sit on the right coming from York for the view. Leeds Bradford Airport is 30 minutes by car; from Manchester Airport allow 2h20 by train via Leeds. Buses 1 and 1A run to Harrogate every 10 to 20 minutes, and the X buses head east toward Boroughbridge. In town everything is walkable but steeply so — allow ten minutes uphill from Waterside to the Market Place.
Things to do near Knaresborough
- Annual Events in Knaresborough: FEVA, Beer Festival, Christmas Market and Where to Stay
- Events and River Adventures in Knaresborough: Boat Hire, Gorge Walks and the Famous Bed Race
- Family Travel Guide to Knaresborough: Where to Stay and What to See
- Four Must-See Knaresborough Attractions and Where to Stay Within Walking Distance
- Knaresborough After Dark: An Evening in the Old Town and Where to Sleep
- Knaresborough by Train: A Car-Free Day Trip from York
- Knaresborough's Ghostly History: A First-Timer's Guide to the Town's Haunted Tales
- Knaresborough's Old Lanes at Dusk: A Family Evening and a Bed Nearby
Questions, answered
Which hotel is closest to the centre of Knaresborough?
Lilly Pad on Castlegate, Clovelly House and Kirkgate House on Kirkgate, and Half Moon Cottage and Waterside Cottage Bed And Breakfast on Briggate all carry Knaresborough street addresses by the Market Place and the castle. Expect a steep climb between Waterside and the Market Place.
Which hotels have free parking?
Goldsborough Hall, Half Moon Cottage, The Sun House, High Trees View Cottage, Blue Bell Country Inn, Waterside Cottage Bed And Breakfast, Woofles Luxury Caravan, Nidd Way Holiday Let, Nook on the Nidd and Rudding Park all list free car parking. The General Tarleton Inn lists car parking.
Do any hotels allow pets?
High Trees View Cottage on Abbey Road, Nidd Way Holiday Let and Nook on the Nidd Knaresborough all list pets allowed, and all three also include free car parking.
Are there hotels with a pool or spa?
Rudding Park is the one listed hotel with an indoor pool, and it also lists a sauna, fitness center and massage. Goldsborough Hall lists massage but no pool.
Which hotels suit families?
Woofles Luxury Caravan at Knaresborough Lido, Nidd Way Holiday Let and Nook on the Nidd Knaresborough have kitchens, playgrounds and family rooms, and two of them take pets. Goldsborough Hall and Rudding Park both list family rooms and babysitting service.
Which is the top-rated hotel in this shortlist?
Goldsborough Hall and Rudding Park both score 4.7 out of 5, from 549 and 2194 reviews. Blue Bell Country Inn follows at 4.4 from 633 reviews. The other hotels on this list have no guest rating in our data.
Can I get breakfast at these hotels?
Goldsborough Hall, Rudding Park and Blue Bell Country Inn list breakfast in room or dinner and restaurant service. Woofles Luxury Caravan and Lilly Pad list breakfast among their facilities; the self-catering cottages and caravans have kitchens instead.
How do I reach Knaresborough without a car?
Knaresborough station is on the Harrogate line, about 12 minutes to Harrogate, 35 to York and 50 to Leeds, with roughly two trains an hour on weekdays. Buses 1 and 1A run to Harrogate every 10 to 20 minutes. Leeds Bradford Airport is 30 minutes by car.