Location: Ripon
Top Things to do in Ripon
The 10 Best Things to do Good for Couples in Ripon, England
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. Ripon Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,662 reviews
Ripon Cathedral traces its history back to its foundation by St Wilfrid in 672AD. The Anglo-Saxon crypt of St Wilfrid's church remains and is open to visitors. Choral evensong takes place Tuesday to Friday at 6pm and Sundays at 3.30pm. Details of all services may be found on our website. We are open to visitors daily throughout the year and entry is free, though we rely on generous donations to continue this practice. Most of the building is wheelchair accessible with the exception of the Library and the Anglo-Saxon crypt. There is a touch-screen computer interpretation of the crypt at ground level for those unable to access it.
Reviewed By 466nickyl - Bury, United Kingdom
What a beautiful building this is in such a nice city, the best part is to visit the crypt - just amazing - lots of information available and a cute little gift shop too, worth the suggested £3 donation
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. Ripon Canal
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 86 reviews
This idyllic rural waterway was once derelict, and nearly became a dumping ground for industrial waste. It was saved by the work of energetic local volunteers and campaigners and is now one of the country’s best canals for nature, and home to three Sites of Special Scientific Interest. We’re focusing on the upper reaches between Melbourne and Canal Head, which is not currently accessible by boat, but the towpath is open to walkers, and is a great place for spotting the wildlife and plants that thrive along the canal. The canal architecture also adds interest to the scenery, with distinctive swing bridges, classic hump-backed bridges and restored and unrestored locks. It’s a fantastic place to take the kids, have a picnic and travel west out of Melbourne on a trip boat to see the area from a totally different perspective.
Reviewed By tommyb079 - York, United Kingdom
The best of Ripon is along the canal, it’s nature, it’s unpolished waters edge, it’s bird life and wildlife within a short stroll of the cathedral truly is Ripon’s heart. Enjoy
7. Spa Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 100 reviews
Spa Gardens is a beautiful park right in the heart of Ripon with something for everyone. The gardens have been recognised for their high quality maintenance and facilities and have been awarded Green Flag status. Ripon's War Memorial has been named the Best War Memorial in the "town class" several times in the Yorkshire In Bloom awards.
Reviewed By johnhouston2 - Knaresborough, United Kingdom
As we live in nearby Knaresborough we visit Ripon quite often and, when we do, we always have a stroll round this lovely little park. And as town centre parks go, this one is certainly on the small side, which I actually like. The flower beds are currently in full bloom for the spring season and look absolutely lovely. The little cafe is open, albeit solely for takeaways at the moment, so it is very pleasant to get a hot drink and sit on one of the benches taking in the peaceful atmosphere and lovely view.
8. 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
9. Curzon Ripon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 86 reviews
Reviewed By FieldsUKandFlorida - Lincoln, United Kingdom
We watched Downton Abbey in this lovely small cinema in an auditorium (Screen 1) holding 56 people! We booked online so could choose our seats. I chose D12 and D13 as they were on the back row with only the aisle in front. This meant we could see the whole screen and stretch out! The staff we spoke to were friendly and both Gents and Ladies toilets were spotless.
10. Prison and Police Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 150 reviews
The Prison and Police Museum, part of the trio of Ripon Museums, tells the story of Law and Order in Yorkshire over the last 200 years. An impressive historic building is complemented by a staggering collection of Police memorabilia from Ripon and beyond.
Reviewed By LindaL174 - Doncaster, United Kingdom
A step back in time with a great insight into how the police and the prison worked. Lots of things to see and read. Give yourself 1 to 2 hours to walk around and read everything.
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