The North Yorkshire city of Ripon (made so in 1836, the first new bishopric to be created since the Reformation) has more of the market town about it than the metropolis, though it is a thriving place with plenty of amenities to serve its population of 16,000 and the many visitors who come to the area year round. The market is held every Thursday, drawing people from the surrounding area as well as residents of Ripon. The Cathedral is a pleasant mix of architectural styles and eras: the crypt is all that remains of the Saxon foundation established by St Wilfrid in 672; the Saxon church was largely destroyed in the 9th century, to be replaced in the 11th, and added to in the 12th when the lovely West Front was incorporated in the building. A tradition still upheld to this day links us with the times during which the church was constructed: the Ripon hornblower, or Wakeman, blows his horn at 9pm every night, and has done so it is said for some 1300 years, originally a sort of curfew to call people back to the safety of the settlement, it is now often referred to as Œwatch setting.‚ The Wakeman blows three blasts at each of the four sides of the monument in the market square. The town has managed to retain its small independent shops, and is not short of hostelries, including one said to date back to the 14th century, so it can offer those who just fancy a good mooch round a very pleasant stay. Over the last couple of decades the number of cafes and bistros has grown, serving contemporary cuisine for those who don't fancy the more robust Yorkshire fare to be found in the town too. For those wanting something a bit more dynamic there is the race course which hosts meetings from April to August. If you are tempted to stay and have children to educate you should know that Ripon Grammar, a state selective school, is highly reputed. Supposedly with its roots in Saxon times like the cathedral, it was refounded in 1555. In the area around Ripon you will find some lovely countryside, but for once mankind surpasses nature here, with the nearby ruins of Fountains Abbey in Studley Royal Park, quite rightly selected as a UNESCO world heritage site.
Attraction
Black Sheep Brewery Visitor Centre
Courthouse Ripon
Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal
Jervaulx Abbey
Lightwater Valley Theme Park and Country Shopping Village
Markenfield Hall
Marmion Tower (EH)
Newby Hall and Gardens
Norton Conyers
Ripon Cathedral
Ripon Prison & Police Museum
Theakston Working Brewery & Visitor Centre
Workhouse Museum of Poor Law
Camping
Riverside Meadows Country Caravan Park
Care Home
Borrage House
Clova House Care Home
Skell Lodge Residential Home
Sycamore Hall Care Home
Classes
Dance - The Naylor Dance Academy
Cottage
Mallard CottageWoodpeckers
Dentist
Beech House Dental Practice
Clock Tower Dental Care
Estate Agent
Brooke Cliff
Cathedral Property Services
Dacre Son & Hartley
Halifax Property Services
McKenzie-Cairns
Property Link Homes
Golf Club
Inn
Lamb & Flag
Royal Oak
The George at Wath
Market
Indoor Tabletop Sales
Ripon Market
Ripon Racecourse Car Boot
Pub and Bar
Black Bull
Black Swan
Galphay Inn
Lamb & Flag
Magdelen
Orange Tree
Outside Inn
Ship
The Buck Inn
Wheatsheaf
White Horse
Racecourse
Restaurant
Dishes
Galphay Inn
Lamb & Flag
Lockwoods
Orange Tree
Swinton Park
Twenty Seven
Valentino Restaurant
Vennells
Woodhouse Barn
School
Self-Catering
Mallard Cottage
Mallard Grange
Riverside Lodges
Solicitor
Taxi
Alder Executive Cars
Harlequin Taxis
Radio Cars
Ripon City Market Taxis
Sharow Taxis
Vet
Shops
House Of Stratus
St Margarets
Flower Shop
Boots
Studley Royal Garden Centre
Village Craft Flour
Dorothy Perkins
A R Whitehead
Row Opticians
Soles Ltd
The Ripon Real Food Company
Edinburgh Woollen Mill
Specsavers
TLC Business Supplies
The White Feather
Antiques
Sigma Antiques
Bentall James W
Places to Stay near Ripon
The Unicorn (0.27 miles)
Riverside Lodges (0.34 miles)
Click here to book this Holiday Park with Hoseasons
Set along the banks of the River Ure and the Yoredale Way, this small family run park offers a friendly, personal service within walking distance of ... More | visit website
Royal Oak (0.35 miles)
The Royal Oak is ‘the’ place to eat, drink and stay in Ripon. Our menu has become a real talking point and includes traditional favourites like Ollie’s Whole Hog Sausages ... More
Old Deanery Hotel and Restaurant (0.37 miles)
Ripon Spa Hotel (0.39 miles)
Offering good Yorkshire food, real ale, log fires and traditional hospitality, the Ripon Spa Hotel is within easy walking distance of Ripon city centre, 20 minutes from Harrogate.
Guests can relax and ... More
The Black a Moor Inn (1.74 miles)
Mallard Grange (3.28 miles)
The George at Wath (3.35 miles)
Surrounded by fields in the beautiful North Yorkshire village of Wath, yet located less than 3 miles from the cathedral city of Ripon and only two miles from the A1, ... More
Lamb & Flag (3.42 miles)
The Lamb & Flag is a Traditional Country Inn. A free house privately owned & run by Carol & Trevor Pawson with a friendly atmosphere,homemade food, selection of wines ... More
The Old Coach House (3.51 miles)
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