Pictures of Ripley Castle

a Castle in the town of Harrogate, in the county of North Yorkshire

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About Ripley Castle

Ripley Castle was built more than 700 years ago, it was originally built as the home of the Ingilby family and has remained so ever since. Its long, fascinating history is threaded with some of the countries most famous characters, Henry Ingilby collected taxes for Edward III, and later Sir William served both King Henry VIII and his daughters' Mary Tudor and Queen Elizabeth I. James I was a guest at the castle in 1603, but two years later several members of the Ingilby family were involved in the Gunpowder Plot, trying to kill him.

Architecturally, the castle is now a magnificent 18th century mansion built around a 15th century tower, it is set amongst fine lawns sweeping down to the River Nidd. The oldest part of the original buildings is the gatehouse of 1410, this stands close to the village market place.

Over the centuries only a few changes have been made, thus the house retains the air of a much loved family home with collections from all periods and memorabilia of its distinguished line of owners. In the early part of the 19th century William Ingilby transformed the gardens and almost entirely rebuilt the pretty estate village.

Much of the lovely interior remains as designed by John Carr of York who favoured the neo-classical design. The Entrance Hall, with its Doric colonnade screening, leads to a smaller Inner Hall. All of the rooms are lavishly furnished, the Round Drawing Room features chairs and settee's by Thomas Chippendale and there is a fine plaster-work ceiling to see in the Large Drawing Room, as well as a classical chimney-piece flanked by Kentian mirrors. In this room there is a magnificent sculpture of "Venus emerging from her bath" by Canova, and paintings by Gainsborough and Kneller.

There is a wonderful semi-circular Staircase Hall with a Venetian window of 1784-85 by William Peckitt of York. In the three storey tower there is a wood panelled Library on the ground floor and throughout the rest of the tower there is much Civil War armour on display, together with family portraits, early books and panelling covering a priest's hiding place. Some splendid paintings adorn the tower walls, the highlight being the picture at the top of the staircase "Constantinople" by Jan van Mour, painted in 1730. Of all the tower rooms the most spectacular is the Knights Chamber, this has its original 16th century oak ceiling and panelling.


The lovely landscaped gardens of the castle bear all the hallmarks of "Capability" Brown. Here you can see walled gardens and a Regency conservatory. The gardens contain the National Hyacinth Collection and the Ripley Tropical Collection with its rare and exotic plants. The kitchen garden is delightfully planted with varieties of old fruits and vegetables.

Ripley Castle is now a venue for weddings, hosts corporate events and a number of special events throughout the year. For those touring the house and gardens there is a pleasant tea-room for refreshments.

The picturesque estate village adjacent to Ripley Castle is well worth seeing, it is beautifully laid out and has a few attractive shops.
Please see below for other recommended attractions and towns to visit near Ripley Castle.

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Distances and directions shown below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Ripley Castle

Fountains Abbey	(4.9 miles, 7.9 km, direction N)	Pictures
Brimham Rocks Country Park	(5.2 miles, 8.3 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Ripon Cathedral	(7.0 miles, 11.3 km, direction N)	Pictures
Nidderdale Museum	(8.5 miles, 13.7 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Harewood House	(10.0 miles, 16.0 km, direction S)	Pictures
Marmion Tower	(11.4 miles, 18.4 km, direction N)	Pictures
Cow and Calf Rocks	(12.9 miles, 20.7 km, direction SW)	Pictures
Bolton Priory	(13.2 miles, 21.3 km, direction W)	Pictures
Kirkstall Abbey	(15.2 miles, 24.5 km, direction S)	Pictures
Thorp Perrow Arboretum	(15.6 miles, 25.2 km, direction N)	Pictures

All attractions in North Yorkshire
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns near Ripley Castle

Ripley, in the county of North Yorkshire (0.1 miles, 0.1 km)
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Harrogate, in the county of North Yorkshire (3.5 miles, 5.6 km, direction S)
One of the chief town's in Yorkshire's old West Riding, Harrogate acheived early fame as a Spa resort.
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Knaresborough, a Historic Market Town in the county of North Yorkshire (4.4 miles, 7.1 km, direction SE)
This attractive market town lies in the high reaches of Yorkshire above Harrogate. It is overlooked by the peaceful waters of...
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Ripon, in the county of North Yorkshire (6.8 miles, 11.0 km, direction N)
Every night Ripons market square is the scene of a 1,000 year old custom when the city Wakeman blows his horn.
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Pateley Bridge, in the county of North Yorkshire (8.2 miles, 13.3 km, direction W)
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Otley, in the county of West Yorkshire (10.5 miles, 17.0 km, direction SW)
Otley is a beautiful old town with attractive buildings in medieval courts and alleyways and a lovely parish church that dates back to Norman times.
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Ilkley, in the county of West Yorkshire (13.1 miles, 21.0 km, direction SW)
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Bolton Abbey, in the county of North Yorkshire (13.6 miles, 21.9 km, direction W)
The Bolton Abbey Estate covers 30,000 acres of beautiful countryside in the Yorkshire Dales.There are medieval buildings to explore and 80 miles of moorland, woodland and riverside footpaths.
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Burnsall, in the county of North Yorkshire (15.8 miles, 25.5 km, direction W)
Viewed from the surrounding grassy fells, this gorgeous stone village with its striking walls softened by rich green foliage, presents a picture of timeless charm.
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Leeds, in the county of West Yorkshire (16.5 miles, 26.5 km, direction S)
In the middle ages Leeds was a wool centre and it flourished. The sheep on the Yorkshire moors providing the wool for the cottage...
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All towns in North Yorkshire
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

Harrogate Station	(3.2 miles, 5.2 km, direction SE)
Starbeck Station	(3.8 miles, 6.1 km, direction SE)
A1(M) Junction 48	(7.5 miles, 12.0 km, direction NE)
A1(M) Junction 47	(7.9 miles, 12.7 km, direction E)
Leeds Bradford International Airport	(12.7 miles, 20.5 km, direction S)
Teesside International Airport	(33.0 miles, 53.1 km, direction N)
Ripley Castle to London	(185.1 miles, 297.9 km, direction S)

Accommodation & Hotels near Ripley Castle

Hotel Name
Alexa House	(2.7 miles, 4.3 km, direction S)
Ascot House Hotel	(3.0 miles, 4.8 km, direction SE)
The Bijou	(3.0 miles, 4.8 km, direction S)
Fountains Guest Accommodation	(3.0 miles, 4.9 km, direction S)
Kimberley Hotel	(3.0 miles, 4.9 km, direction S)
Cairn Hotel	(3.0 miles, 4.9 km, direction S)
Alvera Court	(3.1 miles, 4.9 km, direction S)
Balmoral Hotel Harrogate	(3.1 miles, 4.9 km, direction SE)
The Grafton Hotel	(3.1 miles, 4.9 km, direction SE)
Sherwood Hotel	(3.1 miles, 5.0 km, direction SE)
All of our hotels are available to book online & with special discounts