Knaresborough is a market and spa town in the district of Harrogate, North Yorkshire.

In chapter 40 of The Ink Black Heart, Robin, undercover as Jessica Robins, decides to walk with Zoe Haigh from the North Grove Art Collective.

Although previously undercover with a London accent, Robin decides to revert to her more natural Yorkshire accent to build an easier connection with Zoe.

Robin tells Zoe that she is from Masham, and Zoe reciprocates by telling Robin/Jessica that she is from Knaresborough. Masham is around 25 miles north-east of Knaresborough; both of the towns are in the district of Harrogate.

Some popular landmarks of Knaresborough include the railway viaduct over the River Nidd, the 12th century castle which overlooks the river, the Courthouse Museum, St Robert’s Cave, and the Chapel Of Our Lady of the Crag.

On learning that Zoe is from Knaresborough, Robin/Jessica tells her that she once went to Mother Shipton’s Cave on a primary school trip and that she thought it was “creepy as fuck”.

Zoe tells her that when she visited the cave as a kid she was “petrified” – a pun referring to the famous Petrifying Well, which Robin understands.

The dripping well is high in sulphate and carbonate, which means artefacts can be placed under the dripping water to be “petrified”/encrusted.

Mother Shipton’s Cave is probably the most popular tourist attraction in Knaresborough, with its Petrifying Well and the legend of the prophetess Mother Shipton (1488-1561), who was born Ursula Southeil and reportedly lived in the cave.

The Petrifying Well is also the oldest tourist attraction to charge a fee in England and has been operating since 1630.

To the rear of the Petrifying Well is the Wishing Well. To make a wish, you must dip your right hand in the shallow pool of water, and don’t tell anyone the wish.

You can visit the Mother Shipton’s Cave website at www.mothershipton.co.uk and find it on the map below.