Location: Ripon
Top Things to do in Ripon
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7 Hidden Gems Things to do in Ripon That You Shouldn't Miss
Ripon (/ˈrɪpən/) is a cathedral city in the Borough of Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England. Historically part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, it is located at the confluence of two tributaries of the River Ure, the Laver and Skell. The city is noted for its main feature, Ripon Cathedral which is architecturally significant, as well as the Ripon Racecourse and other features such as its market. The city itself is just over 1,300 years old.
Restaurants in Ripon
1. Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3,875 reviews
We've loved having you back! Please note that you need to pre-book your ticket to visit at the moment via the website. Explore a great abbey and elegant water garden at this World Heritage Site near Harrogate. Cistercian monks chose this place to establish Fountains Abbey in 1132, and the walls echo with centuries-old stories. Follow the riverside path to Studley Royal, a playful water garden designed by visionaries John and William Aislabie in the 18th century. You can spend a day amongst statues, follies and cascades before venturing beyond the lake to Studley Royal deer park, with ancient lime tree avenues and red, fallow and sika deer. Eat, shop, stay Restaurant serving select range of hot food. Picnics welcome but please leave BBQs at home. Large shop with gardening section. Stay at one of 14 holiday cottages, including a cosy waterside lodge and elegant apartment inside Jacobean Fountains Hall. No drones please. Bikes and scooters welcome for children under 5.
Reviewed By Sal7thomp - Leeds, United Kingdom
Fantastic grounds, amazing view, wonderful gardens and lake with a great deer park and lovely abbey and great gift shop
2. Markenfield Hall
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 102 reviews
Markenfield Hall – tucked privately away along a mile-long winding drive, just three miles south of Ripon, has been described as Yorkshire’s best-kept secret. Not visible from the road, a glimpse of the imposing east wall cannot be seen until visitors reach the old Mediaeval road near to the top of the drive. But for a quirk of fate – and the turnpike act of 1777 – Markenfield would be one of the most recognisable houses in Yorkshire and the nearby A61 would run along this now-Bridleway just 100m from its façade.As it is, the house is approached from the A61 Ripon to Harrogate Road along a humble farm track, past agricultural buildings and farm workers cottages. Parking at the side of the moat, visitors approach the building on foot – walking over the bridge that now serves the house in place of the former drawbridge – and the moment the Mediaeval Courtyard opens up as visitors pass beneath the Tudor Gatehouse never fails to astound. Open to the public for just 28 days each year - or to groups by appointment at virtually any other time - the Hall is still privately owned and in the hands of dedicated custodians.
Reviewed By 355saraf355 - Rochester, United Kingdom
I was fortunate enough to visit Ripon during the few weeks when Markenfield Hall is open to the public, and warmly recommend visiting: it's a delightful moated manor house, with a long history, a lovely library, a black cat, two black swans, and lots of friendly and informative volunteers. It isn't large, but if you're happy to potter about looking at things, reading and chatting, you can easily spend a couple of hours here.
3. Workhouse Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 416 reviews
Ripon Museums host the trio of the Workhouse Museum, The Prison & Police Museums and Ripon's Courthouse Museum. These museums interpret the history of Law and order and Social Justice through the 18th Century and beyond in Ripon and Yorkshire. Discover how the poor were treated, what the inmates ate and the hard labour that the paupers and vagrants undertook during their stay at the Workhouse. Become a school pupil in a Victorian classroom See the Collection of Police memorabilia and Victorian punishments in the old Liberty Prison. The Courthouse museum is a fine example of a Georgian building with costumes and props associated with the Victorian legal profession. Family activities during holidays are a great way for the children to be engaged with the history of the buildings and the stories of the past. Suitable for school visits with a comprehensive learning programme offered to teachers, lecturers and adult group leaders alike. Annual passes available for repeat visits too!
Reviewed By t0m1950 - Bridgwater, United Kingdom
We had an interesting visit to this museum which was well laid out and we lots to see and read about. We learnt a lot about times in the workhouse and how the poor were treated. Well worth a visit.
4. Newby Hall and Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 830 reviews
A fantastic family day out. Amazing Adventure Playground, Spectacular Gardens and Elegant Georgian House. Dollshouse Exhibition, Teddy Bear House, Sculpture park, Restaurant & Shop..the perfect place to meet up with friends and family
Reviewed By joannabE1718GW - Cumbria, United Kingdom
I have been coming to a Newby since a tiny child and am now in my forties so this place is full of nostalgia for me. If you are looking for modern, bling, fast food etc then this may not be for you! This is a oasis for nature lovers, gardeners, lovers of historic houses and children with imagination who are happy with traditional style pleasures and good old fashioned playing. The adventure playground is in the old walled garden. It has swing boats, climbing frames, swings, a zip wire, paddle boats, a sand pit etc . Pretty much the only thing that has changed is the addition of water jets rather than the blue painted paddling pool that was formerly there. The miniature railway is a favourite for all ages and of considerable length - a great way to glimpses of the gardens which are absolutely stunning to explore. The Hall itself is beautiful and the restaurant, plant shop and gift shop are well worth a visit. There is also an amazing dolls house exhibition, sculpture garden, teddy bear museum and replica Crown Jewels exhibition. My only constructive criticism is that the coffee served in the restaurant is very bitter - almost undrinkable! and the cup size seems to have got smaller! For me - the beauty of Newby is that it doesn’t change - it retains its uncommercialised magic and just gets better!
5. Druids Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 182 reviews
Reviewed By Cugs22 - England, United Kingdom
A great place to spend an hour or so. Free entry, just £3 to park. It was a nice walk up to the stones along the edge of the line forest. Alternatively there were cycle tracks for bikes. The stones were intriguing and impressive. There were signs posted around saying no climbing on the stones but quite a few children were climbing all over the rocks (some of which were quite high), whilst their parents sat on the grass oblivious. If you continue along the path from the stones, you come to an absolutely breathtaking view. It was so quiet and peaceful. Well worth a visit.
6. Hackfall Woods
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 114 reviews
Reviewed By H8236HSpetert - Market Deeping, United Kingdom
This is a lovely place to walk in Autumn ,it goes down to the river- beautiful. You can obtain a map from the tourist information for four different routes. Follies within the woods
7. Norton Conyers
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 34 reviews
NORTON CONYERS is a historic house. Winner of the HHA Sotheby’s Restoration Award 2014 Norton Conyers, house and garden, have belonged to the Grahams since 1624. Recent excavations have revealed that parts of the house are Anglo-Saxon. The house’s exterior has distinctive Dutch-style gables; its interior contains fine 18th century plaster ceilings in the principal rooms. The garden is five minutes' walk from the house. Laid out in the mid 18th century, it retains the essentials of its original design, together with sympathetic replanting in the English style.
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