Ripon is a charming and compact city. It is located in North Yorkshire, England.
Introducing Ripon
Ripon is one of the oldest cities in England. The first settlements were recorded to have been here over 1300 years ago. This city has an incredible historical presence thanks to its cathedral, which dominates the city skyline.
For the record, Ripon is one of the smallest cities in England. Don't you worry about it because you can find plenty of things to do here. It is well-known for its museums: the Courthouse Museum, the Police and Prison Museum, and the Workhouse Museum and Garden. All of them are located in the city centre. A short drive from Ripon city is the magnificent Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Park. The Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Park have been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status.
Ripon is absolutely a beautiful city. I can spend hours here, and walk from one corner of the city to the other. Let's explore the things to do in Ripon.
Things to Do
Main Activities
Just walk around the city. You can find things to do and see easily in Ripon. However, there are plenty of other great things to do outside the city. Here is my selection of some of the best.
Explore the Ripon Cathedral
Ripon Cathedral is absolutely beautiful. The building's facade gave me extra reasons to like it more. Do walk from the Market Place along Kirkgate Street because when you approach the cathedral, the view is so good.
A minster church was founded here by Celtic monks from Melrose Abbey around 660 AD. Over the years the cathedral changed and you can see what it is like today. Step inside this stunning building with its stained glass, carved walls and ceilings. Go down to the cathedral crypt to experience the oldest crypt in the country which was founded by St Wilfrid in 672AD. It is magnificent. It also has many other interesting features, not least the medieval wood carvings that decorate the choir stalls, which are believed to have inspired Lewis Carroll, the author of Alice in Wonderland.
Spend at least one to 1.5 hours to see the best of Carlisle Castle inside and outside.
Go to Courthouse Museum
Do visit the Courthouse Museum; it is a very short walk from Ripon Cathedral. It is also known as the Liberty Courthouse Museum. This Georgian courthouse was built in 1830, and the interior has remained unchanged ever since. It was converted to a museum after it was closed as a magistrate's court in 1998. Do go around to see the library, courtroom, the jury room, and retiring room, where you can see portraits of past magistrates who once presided at this court. At the same time, you can learn about the stories of some of the defendants and the sentences they received.
Spend at least 30 minutes to one hour here.
Wander and buy at Ripon Market Place
Ripon Market Place has been the centre of the city since the early 13th century. It's surrounded by some beautiful historic homes and half-timbered buildings. The Town Hall is one of them, standing handsomely amongst the others. In the middle, there is the obelisk cross, which was erected in 1702. Every Thursday, it is filled with local vendors that sell local products such as fruits, vegetables, cheese, fresh bread, flowers, pastries, and a lot more.
Learn about Victorian workhouse at Workhouse Museum
It was originally Ripon's Victorian workhouse, which has been converted to a museum. The building was built in 1885. The purpose of the workhouse at that time was to provide a place for those who were looking for cheap labour in return for shelter and food. Today, you can still see the kitchen gardens, and they are maintained by the volunteers. To make it like it used to be, the museum guides dress in period costume. It is a unique way to showcase the Victorian Workhouse in modern times. They will take you through the workhouse's manual trades, e.g., oakum picking and rag rugging.
Spend at least 30 minutes to one hour here.
Tip | You can buy a Museum Pass that covers most of the museums in Ripon. The pass costs Adult £18.00, Concession £17.00, Child £10.00, Family and friends £36.00 & Small family £26.00.
Visit Prison and Police Museum
If you are looking for something different, the Prison and Police Museum could be the right place to visit in Ripon. This museum is located a very short walk from Marygate car park. It was built in the 17th century and has also been used as a house of correction for vagrants. Ripon Police Station was built in 1816 and was converted into Ripon Liberty Prison. In 1956, it finally closed. The museum displays and shares the history of policing in Yorkshire, starting in medieval times up to when a professional police force was founded.
Spend at least 30 minutes to one hour here
Rest and relax at Ripon Spa Gardens
Ripon Spa Gardens is located roughly 10 minutes from the market place. This well maintained garden has topiaries, exotic trees and colourful flower beds. When you enter the park, you will be greeted by George Frederick Samuel's statue of the Marquess of Ripon. There is an interesting modern wood sculpture not far from the Victorian bandstand. The sculpture represents characters from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. This was created in 2011 to mark Lewis Caroll's years at Ripon Cathedral. From time to time, the garden becomes a venue for some concerts in the city. This is a great place to rest and relax after a long day walking around the city.
Spend at least 30 minutes to one hour here.
Walk and cruise along Ripon Canal
Another great place to stroll around the city is along the canal. This picturesque canal was built in the late 18th century to ship coal to Ripon. It brings me back to the old days and memories of the city. It was restored in the 1990s, and you can see some adorable duck and swan families if you walk along the canal. Of course, you can see a brief view of the cathedral peeking through the trees.
There is a Ripon Scenic Cruise available if you wish to join the canal tour and learn about it. It carries up to 12 people and is wheelchair accessible. Check Ripon Scenic Cruise website to find more.
Walking around the city
The best way to experience and get to know Ripon City is on foot. Walk from one area to the other to see the best of what the city can offer. We walked from the cathedral to Ripon Spa Gardens and ended up at the riverside walk and Ripon Canal. It was a great walk, and in addition, we got to see some interesting buildings around the city.
Walk along the River Ure
It was a lovely walk along the river. Luckily, while we were there, the weather was great and gave us an opportunity to walk along the River Ure. If you're looking for extra things to do in the city, this is definitely easy to do.
Wander around at medieval Fountains Abbey
One word to describe this ruin is 'WOW'. It was a great opportunity to visit this ruined building after reading about it. The abbey is absolutely stunning with some of the most extensive monastic ruins in England. Step back into a rich and dramatic past and imagine what life would be like for the monks who lived here all those years ago.
Fountains Abbey was established by Benedictine monks from St Mary's Abbey in York, in 1132.
This is a UNESCO World Heritage site together with the Georgian water garden, Studley Royal Water Garden. The abbey is England’s best preserved Cistercian monastery. The abbey has been a ruin since the Dissolution of the Monasteries by Henry VIII in the 16th century. Do go to each section of the abbey to get to know more about it.
Tip | Buy a guide book which costs you £5 and it makes it easy to understand each section of the abbey.
Roam and wander in Studley Royal Garden
After we finished at Fountains Abbey, we decided to explore the Studley Royal Water Garden. Our plan had been to visit the abbey and do the park another time but we ended up exploring it for more than two hours. We stopped at the cafe near the lakes for coffee and cake before we continued exploring the parkland again. This is a super gorgeous park and is a must-visit place in Yorkshire.
The park was designed by John Aislabie and his son William. They changed the wild landscape of the valley of the River Skell into one of England’s most spectacular Georgian water gardens. It is a masterpiece of design, with cascades, lakes, islands and temples.
Studley Royal Water Garden is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site. The Garden was restored in the late 1980s. This breathtaking park is surrounded by a beautiful landscape and woodland. You can see and visit stunning folly, different types of temples, statues, and of course the water park. Strolling along from one end to the other is a great way to know about the park and its history. In addition, you can do some bird watching while walking around.
Visit the Fountains Hall
Fountains Hall is part of the Studley Royal Gardens and Fountains Abbey. The architecture of this exquisite manor house is in the classical Elizabethan style. The estate was purchased by the aristocrat Stephen Proctor, who erected it out of reclaimed abbey sandstone blocks and fresh limestone ashlar dressing. It was constructed to represent wealth and power. One of the rooms' wall panels is extremely gorgeous. Take a look around and learn more about the house.
See St Mary's Church
It takes about 18 minutes or so walking from the main visitor centre car park to the church. St Mary's Church is relatively compact but it has a stunning decorated chancel area. It is absolutely gorgeous.
It is a Victorian Gothic Revival church and designed in the early English style by William Burges. Now, it is managed by the National Trust and in the guardianship of English Heritage.
This is a must-visit church near Ripon if you're about in the area. William Burges designed the church in the 1870s. He created flamboyant decorations that are very much High Church with sumptuous marble, stained glass and gilding throughout. The church highlights are the font, floor tiles, west window, the organ, St George's Chapel, bronze door and the roof of heaven.
Some of the beautiful places near to Ripon city centre listed below are worth a visit.
Explore the romantic Jervaulx Abbey
Jervaulx Abbey is located approximately 15 minutes drive from Middleham village and 30 minutes drive from Ripon city centre. This ruined abbey's appearance is different from the ones that we have visited before. If you visit it soon you can see trees, shrubs, flowers, and grasses that have been allowed to grow beautifully across the structure.
Jervaulx Abbey was originally founded in 1145 at a place called Fors near Aysgarth and then the monks decided to move to where the abbey is now located. The abbey became part of Jervaulx estate and was turned into a romantic garden for the hall. It was purchased by Major Bordon in 1971 and it's still owned by the family. Today, the ruins are made up of the remains of the nave, transepts and choir as well as the cloister, kitchen and chapter house.
Spend approximately one hour to 1.5 hours to see the best of the abbey and the countryside.
Go to Marmion Tower
Marmion Tower is located approximately 15 minutes drive from Ripon city centre and is in the village of West Tanfield.
The tower is a stunning 15th century gatehouse. You can see how lovely the gatehouse is when you approach it. Take the opportunity to climb to the upper chamber and you have a great view towards the church, village and the river. The features you see here while wandering around are an oval window, a guard room and vaulted gateway passage.
A 30-minute walk is enough to explore Marmion Tower.
A circular walk around the Thornborough Henges
Thornborough Henges consist of three circular earthworks known as henges. If you are not walking around the henges you can't really see it unless viewed from air. The henges date back to 3500 to 2500 BC. Each of them is more than 200 metres in diameter and this network is thought to have been part of a ritual landscape. Two of the henges are under the care of English Heritage and the other one is private ownership.
Go to Druids Temple
In the 19th century, William Danny, a wealthy landowner and scholar, constructed a temple. It was built on his land in the lower Wensleydale Hills as a monument to Stonehenge. This folly was constructed with low-cost local labourers who were employed on a temporary basis. The motive for the construction of this temple is unknown, although legend has it that it was erected as a place of devil worship and as a location for secret rites. It is now a popular spot for picnicking and walking, and it is, of course, surrounded by nature.
Explore the Newby Hall and Gardens
Newby Hall is a lovely country residence. Sir Christopher Wren designed it, and it was built in the late 17th century. The home was remodelled in the 18th century by Robert Adam. Mahogany doors, stucco panels, tapestries, Corinthian columns, Renaissance paintings, and alabaster urns are just a few of the spectacular interior features in the mansion. To see the rooms, you must go through each one. When you finish with the house, go to the garden. There is a rose garden, a water garden, and a few other gardens that are basically the same as they were in the 1920s. It is 25 acres in size in total.
Go to Markenfield Hall
Markenfield Hall is a moat-encircled mediaeval manor house. It has a mediaeval vibe about it, but with a contemporary twist. Today, you can pay a visit to this location and walk around the inside and outside of the house.
This grade I listed house was designed mostly in the 14th century and incorporates 16th century architectural components, such as a Tudor gatehouse.
More reading // Ripon in One Day Itinerary
Getting to Ripon
There are regular buses from Harrogate, Thirsk, and York to Ripon.
By car. The easiest way to get to Ripon is by car. Ripon has good road connections with Leeds, York, Durham, Edinburgh, and Newcastle Upon Tyne.
Where to park: Ripon Cathedral is a short walk from Marygate Car Park, which is the strategic car park in the city centre. The parking fee is very cheap here; it costs 60p for one hour, £1 for up to two hours, £1.60 for up to four hours, and above four hours it is £2.
By train. There is no train station in the city. The nearest train station to Ripon is Harrogate, about 11 miles away from the service. The bus service to Ripon from this train station runs frequently.
Getting around Ripon
The city of Ripon is easily explored on foot. The size of the city is relatively compact. Most of the attractions in the city are easy to reach on foot, and their locations may be close to each other too. You need a car or bus to get to nearby attractions, e.g., Fountains Abbey and the Studley Royal Parks.
Places to stay
Check booking.com or Airbnb.com to check out what accommodation is available in the town. The accommodation ranges from hostels, hotels and cottages to apartments.
Places to eat
Ripon has plenty of places to eat from street kiosks and cafes to restaurants. Realitea, Manchega, Wilfrid's Cafe and the Yorkshire Tearoom are the places that we have been to and all of them are highly recommended.
How long do you need in Ripon
I suggest the minimum stay in Ripon is two full days. If you don't have much time, one day or day trip is sufficient enough to explore Ripon. You can do some interesting things in the city to enjoy its history and beyond it. The number of days you stay depends on your travel plans, travel budget and things you want to see.
Concluding remarks on Ripon day trip
Ripon offers you experiences beyond your expectations. It is definitely a great destination for a day trip, especially if you have limited time in Yorkshire. Nevertheless, a three-day minimum stay here gives you the most of what it can offer. It has UNESCO World Heritage Sites, museums, parks, canals and more to explore. Ripon also has a lot of options for those interested in culinary arts.
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