N Yorkshire's Mysterious Sites -------------Hauntings------------ Spofforth Castle Marston Moor A64 Scarborough Castle Acaster Malbis ---------------Major Sites----------- Whitby Haunted York -----Stone Circles and Henges----- The Devil's Arrows ---------------Legends----------- Richmond Castle Middleham Castle Semer Water Giggleswick Knaresborough Athelhampton Manor ---------------Folklore----------- Fountains Abbey Brimham Rocks Bainbridge West Witton Upsall Trollers Gill Hobhole Bridestones Filey Brig Home Site Map Yorkshire Map England Map Scotland Map Wales Map Semer Water Associated with a legend about a vanished town, drowned because of its indifference to a beggar. One day a beggar came to the proud and rich town asking for shelter, but was turned away at every door. He eventually came to a cottage on a hill at the edge of the town where an old couple allowed him to stay. The next morning the beggar had gone, and the whole city - apart from the old couples cottage was underwater. Map ref: SD 9387 Directions: Reached via a minor road off the A684 to the Southeast of Hawes. Acaster Malbis During the medieval period in Britain the Jewish people were heavily persecuted, one of the heavy persecutions was carried out in York. A group of Jewish people fled to Acaster Mathis, and used the parish church for meeting. Some local villagers managed to trap the group inside and then set fire to the building - killing all those who were trapped inside. Tradition suggests that stains on the window sills are the bloodstains of those who perished. Map ref: SE 5746 Directions:To the South of York reached via a minor road off the A64. Richmond Castle The castle is one of many sites associated with Arthur and his sleeping knights, ready to stir from their slumber in a cave under the castle in times of need. A potter called Thompson once found his way into the cavern (or was shown into the cavern by a stranger) via a tunnel from the castle. Inside the cavern King Arthur and his men lay asleep, and a horn and a sword were on the ground next to them. Thompson picked up the horn and the knights started to stir from their slumber, which put him to fright and as he ran back along the tunnel, a booming voice sounded after him. "If Thoust had drawn the sword or blown the horn, Thou hadst been the luckiest man e'er born" The castle has another common story that of a drummer boy, sent along the castle tunnel to see if it reached a local abbey. A group of men followed the sound of his drumming above ground, until it stopped suddenly, and he was never seen again. His drumming is still said to be heard every now and again. Both these stories have reflections in other areas of Britain. It was a popular myth that Arthur and his knights lay asleep in some deep cave awaiting an hour of need. Map ref: NZ 1701 Directions:Richmond is on the A6108 off the A1 at Scotch Corner.