Ripley village and castle in Yorkshire; travel guide and information

Visit Ripley village and castle

Ripley village is full of beautiful buildings and is very charming. It is home to the attractive Ripley castle which has been home to the Ingilby family for 700 years. As well as the castle there are some beautiful walled gardens and a Capability Brown park with lake to explore.

Explore Ripley Castle

Ripley castle itself can only be visited as part of a guided visit but the guides are very knowledgeable and have lots of information about the castle and the Ingilby family who still live in and own the castle. The tour includes the library, drawing room, tower Room and knights chamber. The castle covers various architectural styles with a Medieval Gatehouse, a Tudor Tower and Georgian rooms and you can also see a priest hole.

The gardens can be visited seperately and a garden only visit costs £5. The grounds are extensive with a large lake and park which was designed by Capability Brown and can be seen from the castle. Paths lead around the lake and to the deer park and the park is planted with ancient oaks and chestnut trees as well as great swathes of daffodils.

Close to the house is a lovely walled garden which is bordered by large herbaceous beds with lots to admire throughout the seasons. From here you can visit the orangery and hothouses and carry on to the orchard and kitchen gardens. We visited in the spring but are looking forward to visiting later to see the herbaceous plants in flower - especially the masses of Peonies which fill the borders.

A lovely woodland garden complete with an Ice House and planted with rhododendrons and an interesting variety of trees will also tempt visitors to the gardens.

For anybody planning a wedding this is a regular function for the castle and looks like a great spot for a wedding event.

Explore Ripley village

One of the members of the Ingilby family lived in France before inheriting the castle and when he came to Ripley he had the village remodelled in the style of a French on where he lived in Alsace. The buildings certainly are beautiful and you will see that the town hall has stone lettering reading "Hotel de Ville" which is town hall in French!

The village pub is called the Boar's head and there is also a statue of a Boar in the village. This is due to the increase in fortunes of the Ingilby family when one of its ancestor's saved the visiting king from being savaged by a boar whilst out hunting.

The Boar's Head pub and the castle tea rooms are both great stops for some refreshments whilst you visit the village. Also be sure to try the Ripley ice cream which is famous in the area.

Facing the castle in the village is the All Saints Church which has a picturesque graveyard and inside has a pretty roof and the tombs of various members of the Ingilby family.

Places to visit nearby

Ripley is a short distance from the lovely spa town of Harrogate and garden fans will wish to visit the lovely Harlow Carr Gardens which are an RHS garden and one of only four in the country. There is also a Betty's tea room on site so its a double treat!

Knaresborough is a charming riverside town with the remains of a castle and a large viaduct. Fountains Abbey is another historic site well worth a visit and it has beautiful grouds and water gardens.

You can find more local travel ideas in the North Yorkshire guide.