Ripon

Yorkshire’s Big Little Secret

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.

Ripon Cathedral Mark Bickerdike 2 copy

Explore more from in and around Ripon

Get more from your visit to this historic cathedral city, discover its secrets and delve into its medieval streets.

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Businesses in Ripon

Ripon cathedral
Ripon

Ripon Cathedral

Ripon Cathedral is a medieval marvel boasting a fascinating history all…

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Grantley Hall Hotel

Grantley Hall is a luxury five-star hotel nestled on the edge of the…

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Ripon

Three Graces Spa

Three Graces Spa and ELITE Luxury Gym and Executive Wellness at Grantley…

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Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal Water Garden

The magnificent ruins of the once prosperous Fountains Abbey, the largest…

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Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Holiday Cottages

Experience Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal World Heritage Site like…

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Ripon

Bar & Restaurant EightyEight

Bar & Restaurant EightyEight offers a unique fusion of Yorkshire produce…

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Ripon Courthouse Museum

Step into the 1800s and explore the fascinating world of Victorian justice…

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Newby Hall & Gardens

Newby Hall is home to a wonderful collection of Chippendale furniture,…

Events in Ripon

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Harrogate Autumn Flower Show online
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Harrogate Autumn Flower Show

19 Sept - 21 Sept 25

Join us for the Harrogate Autumn Flower Show at our fabulous new home,…

St Wilfrids Festival
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St Wilfrid's Procession

2 Aug 25

The St Wilfrid’s Procession is one of the United Kingdom’s oldest…

Ripon Theatre Festival 24 yellow and lines web
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Ripon Theatre Festival

1 Jul - 6 Jul 25

Five days of drama, street theatre, circus, dance, puppetry, storytelling…

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View across Nidderdale - trees, fields, drystone walls and blue sky