Welcome to Ripon, the unspoilt Cathedral City of the Yorkshire Dales and a hidden gem in North Yorkshire. Ripon has a rich cultural heritage with an abundance of attractions and things to do both in the centre and within a few miles. Ripon and its locality offer the visitor a wide range of enjoyable experiences within a small area.

Please use our website to get ideas on what to do while you are in Ripon and browse the listings pages to find places to stay, things to see and do and an up to the minute events calendar for Ripon and it’s surrounding area.

Why Ripon?

Ripon may be a small city, but it has a Big Personality. It has all the benefits of contemporary living; a good selection of accommodation and restaurants, fascinating shops and a wealth of cultural entertainment and events (click on the thumbnail links to the right). Ripon and its locality have many reasons to keep visitors interested and entertained and as well as those in the centre Ripon has an abundance of top class visitor attractions within a 10-mile radius to complement any visit to the City itself. These include the World Heritage site of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, Newby Hall (a stately home), the 14th century Ripley Castle, a modern theme park at Lightwater Valley and the village of Masham with its two breweries.

Have a really great time in Ripon!

Ideally located to explore the Yorkshire Dales or even the North York Moors, there's always plenty to do in and around the city for the young or not so young! Ripon is therefore a great place to stay or visit whatever the season. Whatever the purpose of your visit; a weekend break, a daytrip with friends, or a family holiday, we hope you'll spend some time ‘amid Ripon’s ancient charms’ and discover all that this vibrant City has to offer.