Pictures of Ripon

in the county of North Yorkshire

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About Ripon

Historically, the Diocese of Ripon was founded in 1836 it is therefore considered to be relatively modern. This is a fact which belies the origins of its lovely Cathedral which dates from the 12th-century and has a Saxon crypt that is said to be the earliest Christian survival in England. It is now a strong room and holds treasures from other churches in Yorkshire as well as a priceless collection of ancient silver. Architecturally, the Cathedral contains features from all the great English church building periods and includes a superb western front, a great east window which is over 50ft high and supported by buttresses and a splendid 16th-century Gothic nave.

Bishop Wilfrid of York, founded a monastry on this site in the year 669, and the atmosphere of the Cathedral is such that it takes you straight back to the early days of christianity in the north when the church was was ruled by great personalities and was at the centre of daily life.

Interestingly, the towers to the Cathedral originally had spires but the last spire was removed in the year 1664, some years after the cathedral's central spire had fallen. None-the-less, this remains an awe inspiring building which is a constant source of fascination and full of ancient reminders of a glorious and noble past.

Every night Ripons market square is the scene of a 1,000 year old custom when the city Wakeman blows his horn. For this ancient ceremony the Wakeman wears a Tricorn hat and sounds his horn at each corner of the Obelisk in the square, informing the towns-folk that he had begun his night watch over the town. The half timbered 14th-century house in the square was once the Wakemans residence, it is now an interesting museum that tells of local history.

A short journey from Ripon are the romantic ruins of Fountains Abbey, they can be found in a lovely secluded wooded valley, and are recorded as being the finest ruins in England and are remarkably well preserved. A Cistercian Abbey was begun here in 1134, it grew to become the richest cistercian house in England by the 13th-century and was disolved in 1539. With the late evening sun casting long shadows over the ancient remains, Fountains Abbey becomes wrapped in a magical atmosphere, it is a sight which is simply overwhelming.

Ripon today is a lively and interesting town with much to offer the visitor. It is a fine centre for commerce and has up to the minute shopping facilities and good sporting facilities which include a well known racecourse. In a favoured situation close to the beautiful Yorkshire Dales, Ripon is surrounded by a wealth of fine countryside. Other attractions in the area; Lightwater Valley, Marmion Tower and the Theakston Brewery Visitors Centre. After a pleasant day visiting the delightful sights of Ripon, call in to a local inn, tuck in to a delicious home-cooked meal and enjoy it with a tasty glass of Theakstons!

Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.

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

Recommended attractions near Ripon

Ripon Cathedral	(0.3 miles, 0.5 km)	Pictures
Fountains Abbey	(2.8 miles, 4.5 km, direction SW)	Pictures
Lightwater Valley Park	(3.3 miles, 5.3 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Marmion Tower	(5.4 miles, 8.7 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Ripley Castle	(6.8 miles, 11.0 km, direction S)	Pictures
Brimham Rocks Country Park	(7.2 miles, 11.6 km, direction SW)	Pictures
Knaresborough Castle	(9.0 miles, 14.5 km, direction S)	Pictures
Thorp Perrow Arboretum	(9.4 miles, 15.2 km, direction N)	Pictures
Nidderdale Museum	(10.0 miles, 16.1 km, direction W)	Pictures
The World of James Herriot Museum	(10.0 miles, 16.2 km, direction NE)	Pictures
Crakehall Water Mill	(12.5 miles, 20.1 km, direction N)	Pictures
Spofforth Castle	(12.8 miles, 20.6 km, direction S)	Pictures
The Kilburn White Horse	(14.2 miles, 22.8 km, direction NE)	Pictures
Nidderdale	(14.8 miles, 23.7 km, direction W)	Pictures
Middleham Castle	(15.0 miles, 24.1 km, direction NW)	Pictures

All attractions in Ripon
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Recommended towns near Ripon

Ripley, in the county of North Yorkshire (6.8 miles, 11.0 km, direction S)
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Knaresborough, a Historic Market Town in the county of North Yorkshire (8.9 miles, 14.3 km, direction S)
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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Pateley Bridge, in the county of North Yorkshire (9.9 miles, 15.9 km, direction W)
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Harrogate, in the county of North Yorkshire (9.9 miles, 16.0 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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Husthwaite, in the county of North Yorkshire (13.2 miles, 21.2 km, direction E)
Set in the spacious countryside between the Hambleton and Howardian Hills, the attractive village of Husthwaite stands on the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors.
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Coxwold, in the county of North Yorkshire (14.5 miles, 23.4 km, direction E)
Coxwold is one of those villages that appear to have changed very little with the passing of the centuries.
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Otley, in the county of West Yorkshire (17.2 miles, 27.7 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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Bolton Abbey, in the county of North Yorkshire (18.1 miles, 29.1 km, direction SW)
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 (18.4 miles, 29.7 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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Rievaulx, in the county of North Yorkshire (18.5 miles, 29.7 km, direction NE)
The pretty village of Rievaulx has a wealth of stout stone cottages and a few hansome houses nestling in a curve beyond dry-stone walls beneath the wooded hills of the beautiful Rydale Valley.
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Osmotherley, in the county of North Yorkshire (18.7 miles, 30.1 km, direction NE)
Osmotherley is a beautiful unspoilt village on the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors, it lies surrounded by moors and pastureland between the Cleveland and Hambleton Hills.
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Ilkley, in the county of West Yorkshire (18.9 miles, 30.4 km, direction SW)
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Grassington, in the county of North Yorkshire (19.7 miles, 31.7 km, direction W)
This is Upper Wharfdale's principle village. It is a place of quiet charm with a lovely old bridge spanning the River Wharfe and cobbled lanes with pretty stone cottages descending towards the attractive village square.
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Richmond, a Historic Market Town in the county of North Yorkshire (20.3 miles, 32.7 km, direction NW)
Richmond is a lovely old market town on the River Swale in North Yorkshire.
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Helmsley, a Historic Market Town in the county of North Yorkshire (20.4 miles, 32.8 km, direction NE)
The town itself is very pretty with lots of interesting stone buildings set around a market square where visitors can find attractive craft and gift shops, as well as cafe's and no less than four former coaching inns.
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Nearby travel help

A1(M) Junction 49	(3.8 miles, 6.2 km, direction E)
A1(M) Junction 49	(4.7 miles, 7.6 km, direction E)
Thirsk Station	(9.0 miles, 14.5 km, direction NE)
Knaresborough Station	(9.1 miles, 14.7 km, direction S)
Leeds Bradford International Airport	(19.6 miles, 31.5 km, direction S)
Teesside International Airport	(26.2 miles, 42.2 km, direction N)
Ripon to London	(190.9 miles, 307.1 km, direction S)

Hotels & Accommodation in Ripon

Hotel Name	Approximate distance from Ripon center
Best Western Ripon Spa Hotel	(0.1 miles, 0.2 km)
The Old Deanery	(0.3 miles, 0.5 km)
Swinton Park	(8.1 miles, 13.0 km, direction NW)
Best Western Dower House	(8.9 miles, 14.3 km, direction S)
Alexa House	(9.2 miles, 14.8 km, direction S)
Ascot House Hotel	(9.4 miles, 15.1 km, direction S)
Fountains Guest Accommodation	(9.5 miles, 15.2 km, direction S)
The Grafton Hotel	(9.5 miles, 15.2 km, direction S)
Balmoral Hotel Harrogate	(9.5 miles, 15.2 km, direction S)
Kimberley Hotel	(9.5 miles, 15.3 km, direction S)
All hotels in Ripon