Ripon - A Complete Visitor's Guide

Overview

Ripon is one of England's smallest cities, granted its city status by virtue of its ancient cathedral, and it retains a peaceful, unhurried atmosphere that belies its long and eventful history. Standing at the junction of the rivers Ure, Skell, and Laver at the northern edge of the Vale of York, Ripon has been a place of importance since the seventh century when St Wilfrid established a monastery here.

The city's crowning glory is Ripon Cathedral, which incorporates the remarkable seventh-century Saxon crypt — one of the oldest surviving structures in English Christianity. The market square, one of the largest in Yorkshire, is overlooked by a handsome obelisk and is the scene each evening of the ancient Hornblower ceremony, in which the city's official hornblower sounds his horn at each corner of the obelisk at nine o'clock, a tradition dating back over a thousand years.

Ripon's greatest attraction lies just to the southwest, where the spectacular ruins of Fountains Abbey and the stunning Studley Royal Water Garden together form a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is one of the most visited heritage properties in England.

What to See and Do

Ripon Cathedral is the natural starting point for any visit to the city. The building spans almost every period of English architecture from the Saxon crypt to the Victorian restorations, and its west front is considered one of the finest in the north of England. The cathedral's choir stalls feature wonderful medieval misericords — carved seats depicting everything from mythical beasts to scenes of daily life.

The city's museums offer an unusual variety of experiences. The Workhouse Museum tells the grim story of the Victorian poor law, the Prison and Police Museum is housed in the old liberty prison, and the Courthouse Museum recreates a Victorian courtroom.

• Visit Ripon Cathedral and the Saxon crypt
• Watch the Hornblower ceremony at 9pm in the market square
• Explore Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden
• Visit the Workhouse Museum, Prison Museum, and Courthouse Museum
• Walk along the river to Ripon Racecourse
• Browse the weekly market on Thursdays

History

Ripon's history stretches back to at least 657 AD when St Wilfrid established a Benedictine monastery here, building the crypt that still survives beneath the present cathedral. The monastery was destroyed by the Danes and rebuilt several times before the Normans constructed the first stone church. The present cathedral dates largely from the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, with later additions and restorations.

The city received its first charter in 886 AD from King Alfred the Great, making it one of the oldest chartered towns in England. The Hornblower tradition, in which a watchman would sound the horn to signal the setting of the night watch, has been maintained continuously since the time of Alfred. Ripon prospered through the medieval period as a market town and ecclesiastical centre, and its Georgian buildings reflect continued prosperity in the eighteenth century.

Getting There

Ripon does not have a railway station, the nearest being Harrogate, approximately 11 miles to the south. Regular bus services connect Ripon to Harrogate and other towns. By road, Ripon is easily reached via the A61 from Harrogate or the A1(M) junction 50. Parking is available in the market square and in several car parks around the town centre.

Where to Stay

Ripon offers a good selection of accommodation for its size, including several bed and breakfasts in the streets around the cathedral and market square. The surrounding countryside has a number of country house hotels and farm stays that provide a peaceful base for exploring Fountains Abbey, Nidderdale, and the surrounding area.

Local Tips

• Arrive in the market square before 9pm to witness the ancient Hornblower ceremony
• Allow at least half a day for Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal — there is far more to see than just the abbey ruins
• Thursday is market day in Ripon and the best day to experience the town at its liveliest
• The canal path provides a pleasant flat walk from the city centre
• Ripon Racecourse hosts regular race meetings and is known as Yorkshire's Garden Racecourse