The Mother Shipton Inn is a 17th-century inn in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, standing beside the town's Low Bridge and the River Nidd. Grade II listed since 1968, it is one of the most consistently reported haunted pubs in North Yorkshire, and was the subject of the first-ever episode of the paranormal investigation series Are You Haunted..?.
History
The building was originally constructed as a gatehouse for the Long Walk promenade, leading to the nearby Dropping Well and Mother Shipton's Cave — the site traditionally associated with the birth of Mother Shipton, England's best-known legendary prophetess. It likely became a working inn during the 18th century, initially known as the "Dropping Well," and was owned by the Slingsby family until 1915. The building was altered in the 19th century and had its doors and windows replaced in the 20th.
The inn holds a number of historical curiosities alongside its ghost stories, including a table reputedly once owned by Guy Fawkes during his time at nearby Scotton Hall in 1592, and a carved stone inscription set into the beer garden.
Reported hauntings
"Lily"
The most frequently reported presence at the inn is a young girl, nicknamed "Lily" by staff and regulars, said to have drowned in the River Nidd behind the building. She is the figure most often blamed for unexplained activity throughout the pub.
The sealed room
During renovation work in the 1960s, workmen reportedly uncovered a sealed-off room within the inn containing human remains — a discovery that has fuelled ongoing speculation about the building's darker history and possible connection to undocumented past events.
Room 4
Guests staying in Room 4 have reported an unseen presence, sudden drops in temperature, and whispered conversations audible when no one else is in the room.
Table 8
A specific table near the fireplace, known to regulars as Table 8, carries a longstanding reputation as the pub's most haunted seat, alongside reports of a haunted money casket kept on the premises.
Are You Haunted..? investigation
The Mother Shipton Inn was investigated in the first episode of Are You Haunted..?, the paranormal investigation series created by Phil Whyman and Sara Whyman. The episode formed part of the show's original December 2018 Facebook premiere, and covered witness accounts of unexplained figures, objects moving, and items being thrown within the building.