Ripon is a city, famous for its cathedral, Ripon Racecourse and Fountain Abbey. It has lots of beautiful gift shops, galleries, an antique arcade, tons of charity shops, a ‘Café Nero’, ceramic painting shop for kids, lots of restaurants, tea rooms serving cream teas, oh and a ‘Wetherspoons’. We highly recommend ‘Olivers Pantry’ for breakfast (dog friendly), it looks small but upstairs it’s huge. As well as the ‘Manchego Tapas’ and ‘Storehouse Kitchen’ (they have dog friendly tables), in fact; ‘The Storehouse’ also has a bar across town which is lovely and they serve delicious flat breads and charcuterie platters. There is also a very popular Indian afternoon tea shop called ‘Realitea’, the home cooked Indian food and cakes are amazing and the owner is a lovely, lovely lady (give them 24 hours notice for afternoon tea or arrive at 11/12 noon or they will sell out).
Market day is Thursday 7.30-2pm - Little Birds Artisan Markets often have craft markets here (and Masham, Harrogate, Knaresborough etc)– check out their calendar online.
Ripon Cathedral
It’s a stunning cathedral that in 2022 celebrated 1350th year. Ripon Cathederal holds multiple services each day, as well as lots of events, including: Opera’s, candlelit orchestras, food fairs and beer festivals. There are always tour guides on hand for insightful knowledge, candles to light for loved ones and you can visit the catacombs most days.
It’s a truly spectacular cathedral that‘s well worth a visit, look out the shadow sculptures of service men around the cathedral – they are beautiful.