ancient ruins
Fountains Abbey
Largest and best-preserved Cistercian monastery ruins in England, set within the elegant Studley Royal Water Garden UNESCO World Heritage Site.
5 km · about 10 min drive
England, United Kingdom · Europe
Ripon works well as a base: 20 minutes from Boroughbridge, 5km from Fountains Abbey.
Ripon is a town located in England, United Kingdom. With a population of 16,363, it is an important destination in Europe.
On a road trip, Ripon sits in United Kingdom, where you drive on the left. It's in the Europe/London time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Ripon to your route.
Ripon () is a cathedral city and civil parish in North Yorkshire, England. Located at the confluence of two tributaries of the River Ure, the Laver and Skell.
The city was originally known as Inhrypum. Bede records that Alhfrith, king of the Southern Northumbrian kingdom of Deira, gave land at Ripon to Eata of HexhamRead more
to build a monastery and the abbot transferred some of his monks there, including a young Saint Cuthbert who was guest-master at Ripon abbey. Both Bede in his Life of Cuthbert and Eddius Stephanus in his Life of Wilfred state that when Eata was subsequently driven out by Alhfrith, the abbey was given to Saint Wilfrid who replaced the timber church with a stone built church. This was during the time of the Anglian kingdom of Northumbria, a period during which it enjoyed prominence in religious importance in Great Britain. It was for a period under Viking control, and later suffered under the Normans. After a brief period of building projects under the Plantagenets, the city emerged with a prominent wool and cloth industry. Ripon became well known for its production of spurs during the 16th and 17th centuries, but would later remain largely unaffected by the Industrial Revolution.
Ripon is the third-smallest city in England and the smallest in Yorkshire, by population. According to the 2011 United Kingdom census it had a population of 16,702, an increase on the 2001 census figure of 15,922. It is located 11 miles (18 km) south-west of Thirsk, 16 miles (26 km) south of Northallerton and 12 miles (19 km) north of Harrogate. As well as its racecourse and cathedral, Ripon is a tourist destination because of its proximity to the UNESCO World Heritage Site that consists of the Studley Royal Park and Fountains Abbey.
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Ripon offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.
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Ripon is located in England, United Kingdom, Europe. The coordinates are 54.1358 latitude, -1.5283 longitude.
Ripon has a population of approximately 16,363 people, making it a town in United Kingdom.
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Full driving guide for United Kingdom8 notable places within an hour's drive.
ancient ruins
Largest and best-preserved Cistercian monastery ruins in England, set within the elegant Studley Royal Water Garden UNESCO World Heritage Site.
5 km · about 10 min drive
cafe
Yorkshire tea-room institution founded by Swiss confectioner Frederick Belmont in 1919, still family-owned and famous for Fat Rascals and its art-deco interior inspired by the Queen Mary liner.
16 km · about 30 min drive
racetrack
The longest hillclimb course in England at 1,598 yards, climbing Yorkshire moorland on the Harewood estate with sweeping open views over Wharfedale from the spectator banks.
26 km · about 30 min drive
ancient ruins
Romantic 12th-century Augustinian priory ruins on the banks of the River Wharfe, surrounded by 30,000 acres of moorland and woodland.
29 km · about 35 min drive
cafe
A motorcycle-friendly cafe nestled in the Yorkshire Dales, perfectly positioned on some of northern England's finest riding roads.
32 km · about 35 min drive
cathedral
One of the largest Gothic cathedrals in Northern Europe, famous for its medieval stained glass.
35 km · about 40 min drive
racetrack
A former World War II airfield in North Yorkshire that hosts BTCC and is known for its mix of fast straights and tight chicanes.
35 km · about 40 min drive
photogenic
Medieval York street where overhanging timber-framed shops nearly touch across the lane, some dating to the 14th century. Once a row of butchers' shops; the meat-hooks and wide sill-boards survive.
35 km · about 40 min drive
April to October
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