Everything you need to know about the Great Knaresborough Bed Race

The biggest day in Knaresborough's calendar returns for its 57th year tomorrow.

Most readers probably know about the Great Knaresborough Bed Race but we’ve collated a running order of what's happening and some information on issues such as parking.

The event, which is organised by Knaresborough Lions, has taken place on the second Saturday of June annually since 1966.

Besides the 2.4-mile bed race itself, the day will include a parade through the town, food and drink stalls, and attractions for children at Conyngham Hall.

The theme for this year’s event is great inventions and technology through the ages.

Timings

9am: The event begins in the grounds of Knaresborough Castle where the 90 teams gather with their beds.

10am: Market Place is closed off

11am: Best Dressed Bed judging to take place.

12pm: High Street closed to traffic

12pm: Competition winners are announced and attractions open on Conyngham Hall field. Entry to Conyngham Hall costs £3 per adult – children 16 and under go free. There will be amusements, charity stalls, bars, food stands and a big screen streaming the parade. 

1pm: The famous parade begins. It commences from Castlegate, through the town centre and finishes at Conyngham Hall. There will be a pageant of beds, bands, floats and dancers marching through the town. 

2:45pm: Welcome ceremony held on Conyngham Hall field by the mayor of Knaresborough.

3pm: Teams set off at 10-second intervals. The fastest team based on previous form (GH Brooks) sets off first.

3.15-4pm: Teams cross the finish line.

5pm: Presentation of prizes. 

6pm: Lions hope the event will be be finished and roads will have re-opened by this point. 

How to get there

The Stray Ferret last week published an article about the road closures during the bed race. You can find the details here.

The town is known to be filled to the brim with spectators, so it’s wise to arrive early or go by train.

Knaresborough Lions has organised a free park-and-ride bus service with Connexions, which will run to and from GSPK Design on Manse Lane.

Parking is also available at King James’s School. It costs £5 for all-day parking, which will be donated to Macmillan Cancer Support. 

Fisher Street and Chapel Street car parks will remain open.

Conyngham Hall car park, Henshaws car park and the Castle car park will be closed for the entirety of race day.

How to watch the race

The race starts and ends at the same place: Conyngham Hall field.

There will be a large screen there to watch the action as it happens, but people can also spectate along the route.

The race begins at the hall, goes across High Bridge, along Waterside through the gorge, up Castle Ings, through the Market Place, down the High Street, past the World’s End pub and over High Bridge. Runners then trail through the River Nidd and finally back to Conyngham Hall.

Spectators stand along the entire route – but arrive early to ensure you get a good spot.

There will also be a disabled viewing area in the Market Place.