Ripon
Yorkshire’s Big Little Secret
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- Ripon
Ripon 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 to the 7th century waiting to be explore by history enthusiasts.
With a thriving marketplace 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 the city is so loved. Amongst these are cafés and pubs, offering refreshment and home cooked food throughout the day.
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.
Yorkshire’s Big Little Secret
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 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.
The city’s history is entwined with the Church, both due to the cathedral in the city centre and its proximity to nearby Fountains Abbey.
Ripon also boasts an outstanding racecourse and a glorious stately home so there are always great things to do and explore.
With 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 Ripon is bursting out to be enjoyed.
Get more from your visit to this historic cathedral city, discover its secrets and delve into its medieval streets.
Discover Ripon on our map
Businesses in Ripon
Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal Water Garden
The magnificent ruins of the once prosperous Fountains Abbey, the largest… The magnificent ruins of the once prosperous Fountains Abbey, the largest monastic ruins in the country, sit alongside a Georgian water garden that…
Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Holiday Cottages
Holiday cottages situated in the shadow of the abbey and the impressive… Holiday cottages situated in the shadow of the abbey and the impressive Choristers’ House in the depths of the deer park.
Grantley Hall Hotel
Grantley Hall is a luxury five-star hotel nestled on the edge of the… Grantley Hall is a luxury five-star hotel nestled on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park and is located only four miles from Ripon and set…
Three Graces Spa
Offering an award-winning combination of spa and wellness facilities… Offering an award-winning combination of spa and wellness facilities located within a five-star hotel.
Ripon Cathedral
Ripon Cathedral is a medieval marvel boasting a fascinating history all… Ripon Cathedral is a medieval marvel boasting a fascinating history all the way back to the 7th century.
The Orchard
The Orchard offers a relaxed, indoor-to-outdoor atmosphere that changes… The Orchard offers a relaxed, indoor-to-outdoor atmosphere that changes with the seasons. Sit and enjoy a leisurely lunch basking in the beautiful…
Skell Gardens Cottage
1850's cottage, sleeping 4 with garden, parking, views of Cathedral and… 1850's cottage, sleeping 4 with garden, parking, views of Cathedral and minutes from centre of Ripon.
Weave together the history of the notorious Victorian workhouse system and… Weave together the history of the notorious Victorian workhouse system and the natural beauty of its gardens.
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Events in Ripon
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Join St Cecilia Orchestra at Holy Trinity Church for a beautiful programme… Join St Cecilia Orchestra at Holy Trinity Church for a beautiful programme of music evoking the sights and sounds of a summers evening.Rodrigos…
A programme of titanic proportions, bringing together three greats of the… A programme of titanic proportions, bringing together three greats of the Romantic era: Brahms, Dvorak and Weber.The overture to Webers final opera,…
One of the greatest cellists of our time plays Bachs cello suites 1, 3 4… One of the greatest cellists of our time plays Bachs cello suites 1, 3 4 and 6 and provides insights into Bachs extraordinary life with readings from…
Counter tenor Hugh Cutting and lutenist Daniel Murphy celebrate the ways… Counter tenor Hugh Cutting and lutenist Daniel Murphy celebrate the ways that songwriters have coloured our experience of love in all its forms.…
Festivals in Ripon
Five days of drama, street theatre, circus, dance, puppetry, storytelling… Five days of drama, street theatre, circus, dance, puppetry, storytelling and more. Events and activities for all ages, both indoors and open-air.…
Featured Stories & Inspiration about Ripon
Find out about three new walks through the Skell Valley launching in May Find out about three new walks through the Skell Valley launching in May
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