[Original headline: Mother Shipton’s prophecy – no sale ]
One of Yorkshire’s most unusual tourist attractions, which went up for sale six months ago with a price tag of £625,000, has failed to sell.
But Mother Shipton’s Cave at Knaresborough will continue to open daily despite the lack of a buyer.
The Cave and Petrifying Well, where objects turn to stone, is set in 12 acres of woodland and is visited by 100,000 people a year.
Richard Baldwin of agents Humberts Leisure said the summer’s poor weather had affected visitor numbers, which had been one factor in the failure to find a buyer.
“This year was a nightmare for small visitor attractions for a number of reasons – the strength of the pound meant people went abroad, the shocking weather and all the new European and Government-funded attractions which were around for the new Millennium,” said Mr Baldwin.
“The small attractions really felt it and we just didn’t find anyone who was interested in an attraction of this nature in this area of the country.
“We will no longer be actively marketing Mother Shipton’s, although if someone comes to us in the future saying they are looking for something like it, we will obviously give them the details so there is always the possibility of a sale.
“But it will continue to be run, and open as normal, there will be no change to that.”
Owner Frank McBratney bought the Cave and Well in June 1986 with then business partner, TV magician Paul Daniels, who sold his share at a later date. Mother Shipton’s is run by Mr McBratney’s brother Robert.
It is said to be the birthplace of England’s most famous prophetess, Mother Shipton, who was reportedly born in 1488.
The Well is believed to be the only one of its kind in Britain, with objects slowly turned into stone.
• Story originally published in • Yorkshire Post / Leeds / England | By Caroline Cook - January 2 2001
