by Janis / 0 comments - Orginally published:13th January 2026
Yorkshire’s smallest city
We’re now off to the quaint cathedral city of Ripon in Yorkshire. After leaving the historic harbour town of Whitby on the North Yorkshire coastline, we detoured off to visit the quaint hillside port village of Staithes and the nostalgic seaside town of Saltburn-by-the-Sea.
The charming city of Ripon is a perfect place to base yourselves while exploring the picturesque Yorkshire countryside, as it is nestled between the Yorkshire Dales NP and the North York Moors NP. Ripon is also an ideal location to stay while discovering the National Trust sites of Yorkshire.
Our visit to Ripon was part of our Yorkshire EV road trip. Before heading to Whitby, we visited the beautiful Cathedral city of York.
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Where is Ripon?
How to get to Ripon
- By Car
If you’re approaching from the South, follow the A1(M) north to Junction 48, then take the A168 northwards to the junction with the B6265. Visiting from the north, follow the A1(M) south to Junction 50, then take the A61.
- By Bus
You can travel to Ripon on the 36 bus from Harrogate and Leeds, or on the 22 bus, which runs from York and Knaresborough.
- By Plane
The closest airports to Ripon are Leeds/Bradford Airport and Newcastle Airport. From here, hire a car by checking Rental Cars for the best option for you..
A brief history of Ripon
A little city with a big heartThe delightful Cathedral city of Ripon is not only the smallest city in Yorkshire but also one of the oldest cities in England. Ripon maintains a rich connection from the early medieval period through to the present day.
Its blend of heritage, centuries-old traditions, and architectural charm makes it a fascinating stop for anyone exploring North Yorkshire. It really is a delightful place to stay.
Kirkgate, Ripon
Ripon’s story begins around AD 660s, when St Wilfrid, one of the key figures of early English Christianity, founded a monastery here. It stood as an important religious centre, influencing the spread of Christianity across the north. Although the original monastery never survived, the present-day cathedral lies upon its foundations.
Allhallowgate, Ripon
From the 12th century onward, Ripon grew into a prosperous market town and was granted several Royal Charters. Its weekly market and annual fairs attracted merchants from all across the local region. Ripon became known for its skilled craftsmen, especially tanners and smiths.
Attractive streets of Ripon
By the 17th and 18th centuries, Ripon benefited from its strategic position on the Great North Road, attracting in trade, travellers, and coaching inns. The city became known for its agricultural markets, fairs, and elegant Georgian architecture, much of which still frames the streets you walk today.
Ripon Canal
The city's growth through trade led to the construction of the Ripon Canal, linking it to navigable sections of the River Ure. Today, Ripon is a delightful city to explore on foot, with many waterside walks.
Ripon was granted city status by the Parliamentary City of Ripon Act in 1865.
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You will find us across many forms of social media. You will find our latest posts, some throwbacks, links to historic events with our 'On this day' posts, across Facebook, X, Bluesky & Threads. Each week, themed visual content on Instagram, and our narrated travels on YouTube. Collections of the images in our posts are also collated into boards on Pinterest.
Strolling the historic lanes of Ripon
Exploring Ripon’s ancient Market PlaceThe quaint city of Ripon is such a pleasurable place to explore, and it can all be achieved at a relaxing, leisurely pace. I’m sure, like us, this bustling little city will earn a warm place in your heart.
Ripon managed to avoid heavy industrialisation, and many of its medieval, Georgian and notable buildings remain intact, giving the quaint old streets ample character.
Ripon Town Hall
As soon as you arrive in Ripon, you’ll be drawn to its thriving, historic Market Place. This market town square is a gorgeous and delightful place to sit and watch the world pass by. The colourful Ripon Town Hall will undoubtedly catch your eye, built in 1799 by architect James Wyatt.
Ripon’s cherished Thursday market is still held here weekly and is formally opened at 11 am by the Ripon Bellman, a tradition dating nearly 700 years. Ripon’s market offers a wide range of local goods and produce, from delicious homemade pastries to hand-crafted gifts.
Ripon Market Place Obelisk
Decorated town square bollards
You’ll immediately spot Ripon’s notable Obelisk, which proudly sits at the centre of the market square since 1702. This treasured structure was designed by Nicholas Hawksmoor, who was renowned for his architectural achievements. Particularly working alongside Sir Christopher Wren on St Paul’s Cathedral.
Cabmen’s Shelter
Another delightful structure you’ll see in Ripon’s Market Place is the green-and-white, Grade II-listed Cabmen’s shelter. It was erected in 1911 by Boulton and Paul of Norwich and paid for by Sarah Carter, the daughter of a former mayor of Ripon, for £200. The shelter was used by drivers of horse-drawn cabs to take refuge while waiting for fares.
Ripon Hornblower
Hornblower in full swing
One daily spectacle in Ripon I urge you not to miss is the “setting the watch” ceremony, presented at 9pm every evening by the Ripon City Hornblower. This ancient tradition dates back over 1,000 years to Saxon times and began as a precaution against those pesky Vikings.
In 886, King Alfred the Great gifted the people of Ripon a horn and a Royal Charter. Ripon’s oldest tradition is performed in Market Place at the base of the Obelisk, and the Hornblower sounds the horn at each corner of the Obelisk. It’s fantastic that these traditions still continue to this day.
Where to stay in Ripon
The Unicorn Hotel
This traditional inn is located in the heart of Ripon’s Market Place and overlooks the charming historic square. It is one of Ripon’s oldest inns and is only a 10-minute stroll to Ripon Cathedral.
EV charging points are available nearby in the local supermarket car park.
Discovering Ripon Cathedral
Full of Norman splendourFrom Market Place, there are so many picturesque lanes and snickets to head along, full of local boutiques and specialist shops. However, venture southeast along Kirkgate to discover Ripon’s magnificent Cathedral.
Ripon Cathedral at dusk
Ripon’s Cathedral of St Peter and St Wilfrid is one of England’s most historically rich and architecturally fascinating sacred buildings. The Cathedral has been a place of continuous Christian worship for over 1,350 years.
The city of Ripon has long been believed to be one of the foremost inspirations for Lewis Carroll’s ‘Alice in Wonderland’. The author spent a great deal of time with family studying the animal carvings in the cathedral.
Carvings on the pulpit
Historic stained-glass windows
St Wilfrid’s crypt is one of the cathedral’s greatest treasures dating from this period, it was completed around AD 670. Remarkably well-preserved, it is the oldest surviving structure in any English cathedral still in use today. Its narrow passages and vaulted chambers reflect early Roman influences brought back by Wilfrid from his travels to Rome.
Rood Screen
Choir and organ in Ripon Cathedral
The present church is the fourth on this sacred site and was built between the 13th and 16th centuries. The cathedral is notable architecturally for its Gothic west front in the Early English style.
As you step inside, the cathedral features a spectacular nave and choir, many medieval stained-glass windows, and superb, richly carved 15th century choir stalls with inlaid figures.
Yorkshire Tourist Information
If you’re tempted to visit Ripon, the Visit North Yorkshire and the Visit Ripon websites are the place to head. They are full of extremely useful information and include handy pointers for around the county of Yorkshire.
Places to visit in and near Ripon
A UNESCO Abbey and 3 charming museumsJust a few miles from Ripon are the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Fountains Abbey and the Studley Royal Water Garden. Together, the medieval monastic ruins and the elegant 18th-century landscape gardens form one of England’s most beautiful scenes.
Fountains Abbey ruins
Founded in 1132, Fountains Abbey became one of the wealthiest and most powerful Cistercian monasteries in England. The monks chose the secluded valley of the River Skell to live a life of prayer, silence, and hard work, following strict Cistercian ideals of simplicity and self-sufficiency.
Despite the monastery’s austere beginnings, the striking abbey grew into an extraordinary complex, boasting a vast 12th century church, one of the largest monastic churches in England, a cloister, chapter house, and warming house.
Vaulted cellarium in Fountains Abbey
Unfortunately, like so many other abbeys, its story came to an abrupt end in 1539 with the Dissolution of the Monasteries, when Henry VIII ordered its closure. Left to decay, Fountains Abbey gradually transformed into the romantic ruin admired today.
Ripon Police Museum
Within Ripon itself, there are three historical museums for you to enjoy, together telling compelling stories about poverty, law, order and justice from Yorkshire’s past. All three of the museums are run by Ripon Museum Trust.
We have a few of these books on our shelves by Christopher Winn; they are so fascinating and reveal hidden secrets across the UK.
Packed full of historical facts, intriguing journeys, and snippets of life. It tells tales of history you could never imagine through our ancient lands.
Available in Kindle & Hardback editions, it's an excellent addition to anyone's collection who loves history and legends.
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