Pictures of Ripon Cathedral

a Cathedral in the town of Ripon, in the county of North Yorkshire

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About Ripon Cathedral

The present Cathedral at the heart of Ripon is built upon the spot of a monastery founded by Bishop Wilfrid of York in the year 669. Despite the fact that the Diocese of Ripon was only founded in 1836 the cathedral contains parts which place it amongst the oldest Christian buildings in the land, the crypt beneath the central tower of the present church is the only reminder from Bishop Wilfrid's monastery. The crypt is only 10 feet high and seven foot wide, but its incredible history as the only part of the monastery to remain following attack by the Danes, makes it the real treasure of this grand cathedral building.

In 1080, Thomas Bayeux, the first Norman to be appointed Archbishop built a new church on the same spot, this was the third church to be built and from this a group of monks led by Archbishop Thurston set out to found what became Fountains Abbey, thus much early Christian history surrounds Ripon.

The church we see today is the fourth church to be built on this site, it stretches back to the time of Archbishop Roger, but very little save for the north transepts, parts of the north side of the choir and chapter house remain from his time. Over the centuries there has been a great deal of alterations and additions to Ripon Cathedral, these began in the 3rd century when the magnificent Early English west front was added by Archbishop Walter de Grey. Not much else was done until the 13th century when Archbishop Romanus altered the eastern end of the choir.

In the ensuing centuries the church suffered due to the hand of war. It was pillaged by the Scots following the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, a hundred or so years later part of the central tower collapsed, and the Wars of the Roses left behind even more destruction. As is clear, the central tower was never completely rebuilt, but late in the 15th century elaborate choir stalls were added.

The fortunes of the church continued to fluctuate from the reign of Henry VIII, through the turbulence of the English Civil War and through to the 18th century by which time the building had become severely neglected. However, once the church had been elevated to cathedral status in the 19th century it underwent a rapid programme of redevelopment and restoration.

What we see today is a triumph of 800 years of turbulent history, and we are fortunate to witness amazing, centuries old craftsmanship restored from all periods, including the choir stalls with their wonderful misericords and a medieval stained glass window. 20th century work shows a magnificent screen by Leslie Durban, this was installed in 1970.

Treasures of the cathedral include a Royal charter issued by King James I in 1604 for the re-instatement of the church, this together with other rare manuscripts and books, can be seen in the Library.

Ripon is one of England's smaller cathedral's, it is approached from the town's busy main streets, but to the rear of the building lies peaceful green spaces, perfect for admiring the dramatic lines and beauty of the cathedrals magnificent exterior. Interestingly, the noted historian Pevsner considered the West Front of the building to be one of the finest in England. The crypt, its most ancient part, now serves as the cathedral treasury.
Please see below for other recommended attractions and towns to visit near Ripon Cathedral.

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

Recommended attractions near Ripon Cathedral

Fountains Abbey	(3.1 miles, 5.0 km, direction SW)	Pictures
Marmion Tower	(5.5 miles, 8.8 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Ripley Castle	(7.0 miles, 11.3 km, direction S)	Pictures
Brimham Rocks Country Park	(7.6 miles, 12.2 km, direction SW)	Pictures
Thorp Perrow Arboretum	(9.4 miles, 15.1 km, direction N)	Pictures
The World of James Herriot Museum	(9.7 miles, 15.7 km, direction NE)	Pictures
Nidderdale Museum	(10.3 miles, 16.6 km, direction W)	Pictures
Crakehall Water Mill	(12.5 miles, 20.1 km, direction N)	Pictures
The Kilburn White Horse	(13.8 miles, 22.3 km, direction NE)	Pictures
Nidderdale	(15.0 miles, 24.2 km, direction W)	Pictures

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

Recommended towns near Ripon Cathedral

Ripon, in the county of North Yorkshire (0.3 miles, 0.5 km)
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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Ripley, in the county of North Yorkshire (7.0 miles, 11.3 km, direction S)
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Knaresborough, a Historic Market Town in the county of North Yorkshire (9.0 miles, 14.4 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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Harrogate, in the county of North Yorkshire (10.1 miles, 16.2 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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Pateley Bridge, in the county of North Yorkshire (10.2 miles, 16.4 km, direction W)
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Husthwaite, in the county of North Yorkshire (12.9 miles, 20.7 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 (14.2 miles, 22.9 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 (17.5 miles, 28.1 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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Rievaulx, in the county of North Yorkshire (18.1 miles, 29.2 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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Bolton Abbey, in the county of North Yorkshire (18.4 miles, 29.6 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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All towns in North Yorkshire
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

A1(M) Junction 49	(3.5 miles, 5.7 km, direction E)
A1(M) Junction 49	(4.4 miles, 7.1 km, direction E)
Thirsk Station	(8.8 miles, 14.1 km, direction NE)
Knaresborough Station	(9.2 miles, 14.7 km, direction S)
Leeds Bradford International Airport	(19.8 miles, 31.8 km, direction S)
Teesside International Airport	(26.0 miles, 41.9 km, direction N)
Ripon Cathedral to London	(190.9 miles, 307.2 km, direction S)

Accommodation & Hotels near Ripon Cathedral

Hotel Name
The Old Deanery	(0.1 miles, 0.2 km)
Best Western Ripon Spa Hotel	(0.4 miles, 0.7 km)
Swinton Park	(8.2 miles, 13.2 km, direction NW)
Best Western Dower House	(8.9 miles, 14.4 km, direction S)
Alexa House	(9.4 miles, 15.1 km, direction S)
Ascot House Hotel	(9.5 miles, 15.3 km, direction S)
Fountains Guest Accommodation	(9.6 miles, 15.5 km, direction S)
The Grafton Hotel	(9.6 miles, 15.5 km, direction S)
Balmoral Hotel Harrogate	(9.6 miles, 15.5 km, direction S)
Kimberley Hotel	(9.6 miles, 15.5 km, direction S)
All of our hotels are available to book online & with special discounts