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Ripon dates from the seventh century and is one of England's
smallest cities. It is known for its historic buildings and the
beautiful Ripon Cathedral as well as traditional customs such as
"setting the watch". This thousand year old ceremony takes place
nightly at 9:00 p.m. with the blowing of the horn in Ripon Market
Place
What should you see in Ripon?
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Ripon Cathedral:
This Cathedral of the
Yorkshire Dales is certainly worth a
visit - in it you can see one of the oldest
crypts in Europe (672AD), a variety
of styles of
architecture, choir stalls which are 500 years old, a
treasury, and a newly created
gallery (1994AD).
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Police & Prison Museum: The museum, established in
1984 in Ripon Gaol, houses documents, prints and artefacts depicting
the history of Law and Order over 1100 years. The story of our
police force and a fine collection of
police memorabilia. Early punishments and conditions in Victorian
Prisons are shown in the cells on the first floor.
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Workhouse Museum: The museum of Yorkshire Poor Law has
been established in the Men's Casual Wards (1877) of Ripon's
Victorian workhouse buildings. The fourteen cells where the tramps
were locked up for the night, the ablutions room, the old day room
and workyard have all been refurbished to give a portrayal of the
grim treatment of vagrants a hundred years ago. There is a Hard
Times Gallery depicting the harsh conditions of the poor in
Victorian times.
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Ripon Races: Horse
Racing has been part of Ripon's life since 1664. 14 days flat racing
are staged between April and August at Yorkshire's Garden
Racecourse. Full Catering and Bar facilities are available to suit
all tastes.
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Ripon Canal:
Ripon is the most northerly point on the canal system of
England. Restoration work is ongoing
around the head of the canal to provide an insight into waterways
history and local crafts.
Ripon is an
attractive city (though it hardly feels like a city) with it's
market place surrounded by many old buildings. Stop a while and see
some of our treasures.
Don't forget to go to the Market Place at 9pm to watch/hear the
horn being blown.
Outwith Ripon:
Newby Hall & Gardens: About 8 miles from Ripon - Newby
Hall is a beautifully restored Adam house. It has
a wonderful Tapestry Room, Library, Statue Gallery and some
of Chippendale's finest furniture. Twenty five acres of gardens,
abound with rare and beautiful plants,
with the famous double herbaceous borders
sweeping down to the River Ure. Ride on the
sweet Miniature Railway, play in the
Children's Adventure Garden, stop at the
Plant Stall, and visit the Shop and
Restaurant.
Web
Lightwater
Valley Theme Park: About 10 miles - For the young at heart.
Set in 175 acres of country park .
Enjoy the white-knuckle thrills of one of the
world's biggest roller coasters
- the Ultimate, the Rat, and the Wave or, for the less adventurous,
there is the Ladybird, the steam train, boating lake and the
children's visitor farm.
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Masham:
About 15 miles - Masham is an historic town - a natural
gateway to the Yorkshire Dales. A weekly market has been held here
since 1393 and in December a special Victorian market is followed by
a torchlight procession. Black Sheep Brewery - If you like
Theakstons beer then you'll like this! The Masham Sheep Fair
generally held in the last week of September has become very popular
attracting thousands - good old fashioned fun
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Fountains Abbey and Studley
Royal. - About 15 miles from Ripon down country roads.
One of the most remarkable and stunning places in Europe and
a World Heritage Site, comprising the spectacular ruin of a
12th-century Cistercian abbey and monastic watermill, an
Elizabethan mansion and one of the best surviving examples
of a Georgian water garden. St Mary’s Church provides a
majestic focus to the medieval deer park, home to 500 deer
and a wealth of flora and fauna.
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Elegant ornamental lakes,
canals, temples and cascades provide a succession of
dramatic eye-catching vistas.
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This abbey really is well
worth a few hours out of your day. Wander round the abbey,
stroll through the grounds down to Studley Royal, have a
bowl of home-made soup in their lovely cafe, then wander
some more in the grounds of Studley Royal before a saunter
back to Fountains. If you're short of time then an hour
should be enough to see the abbey and some of the grounds,
if you have a couple of hours (and maybe a bit more) to
spare then do the whole thing. |
Skipton
Castle: About 30 miles - Over 900 years old, Skipton Castle
is one of the most complete and best preserved medieval castles in
England and is well worth a visit at any season of the year.
Web
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Skipton - a pleasant market town for
a browse and maybe a cup of tea! |
Links:
Informative
site about Ripon.
Web
Ripon Cathedral:
Web
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