What to expect

Ripon traces its origins back to the 7th century, when a monastery was founded by Saint Wilfrid, making it one of England’s oldest settlements. Today, the city’s most recognisable landmark is Ripon Cathedral, whose remarkable architecture reflects centuries of rebuilding and development. Beneath the cathedral lies the ancient Saxon crypt, one of the oldest surviving structures of its kind in the country.

The compact city centre is a pleasure to explore on foot. Around the historic Market Square, visitors will find independent shops, cafés, traditional pubs and regular market days that continue a tradition stretching back more than 700 years. Every evening at 9:00 pm, the city’s official Hornblower sounds the Wakeman’s Horn at each corner of the obelisk, a unique ceremony that has taken place for over 1,100 years and remains one of Yorkshire’s oldest living traditions.

We’ve found Ripon to be one of Yorkshire’s most underrated cities. Its rich history, compact centre and unique traditions create a destination that’s easy to explore in a day while offering plenty of reasons to return.