The little city that packs a big punch.

Ripon

Find specific things to do in Ripon by clicking on the sections below...

Explore Ripon

Ripon, in Yorkshire, is a cathedral city steeped in history and home to magnificent historical buildings and long-observed traditions. You will find a trio of award winning museums and a gothic cathedral that dates back to the 7^th century waiting to feed enquiring minds.

With a thriving market place and a magnificent cathedral, this busy little city will earn a place in any visitor’s heart. Reaching out from the market square are small streets and snickets that are home to the eclectic and specialist shops for which Ripon is so loved. Amongst them are cafes and pubs, offering refreshment and home cooked food throughout the day.

This city’s history is entwined with the church, both due to the cathedral in the city centre and its proximity to the nearby Fountains Abbey.

Ripon also boasts an outstanding racecourse, a glorious stately home, a magnificent abbey and popular theme park. There are always great things to do.

The growth of the city through trade and manufacturing led to the building of a canal to link it to the navigable parts of the River Ure. Today this makes Ripon a delightful city to explore, with riverside and canal side walks that reach into the countryside and buildings that span the last thousand years.

HARR Gallery Ripon Ripon Races lead rider

Yorkshire’s Big Little Secret

Ripon has a curious collection of events that always delight visitors, from the nightly setting of the watch by the Hornblower, to the annual Boxing Day pilgrimage – the character of this city is bursting out to be enjoyed. A budding grass roots arts scene sees regular exhibitions throughout the year and musical events are a regular feature at the cathedral.

the city has long been thought of as one of the major inspirations for Lewis Carroll’s ‘Alice in Wonderland’. The author spent a great deal of time with family in the city exploring the animal carvings in the cathedral. It is quite likely that the gypsum sinkholes found in the surrounding countryside were the inspiration for the beginning of Alice’s mysterious journey.

What's on in Ripon

This busy little city boasts a varied and impressive events calendar with some big events you might expect, and few you won’t. The Ripon Theatre Festival in June brings street theatre, dance and family shows for four days of performances.

The annual St Wilfrid’s Procession sees a carnival atmosphere take to the streets comprising a range of floats travelling the streets with music and dancing providing fun for both young and old.

In September the Harrogate Autumn Flower Show takes place at the nearby historic house, Newby Hall.

There are always great events for you to enjoy, browse below to see what is coming up.