Robert of Knaresborough's Holy Cave

Robert of Knaresborough, a man who sought spiritual refuge, hid from the world in this rare surviving medieval hermitage known as St Robert's Cave and Chapel of the Holy Cross. Placed beside the River Nidd in Knaresborough, it is a unique archaeological find. Although never officially recognized as a saint, Robert is revered as 'St Robert'.

Robert, born Robert Flower, retreated from society and lived in the cave for much of his life.

The cave's structure is interesting, with two sections - a domestic area and a religious side with a bench and an alcove. The cave walls and ceiling have many carved niches and initials, and a rock-cut bench outside the cave is sheltered by the cliff above.

The site passed through the hands of the monks of Ampleforth Abbey and underwent excavations in 1989 by the Harrogate Museums Service.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons