Ripley Castle
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Ripley Castle Summary
- Address: Ripley Castle Estate, Harrogate, HG3 3AY (Map)
- Tel: +44 (0)1423 770152
- Fax: +44 (0)1423 771745
- Owner: Sir Thomas Ingilby, Bt
- Administrator: Rebecca Riordan
- E-mail: Click here to contact
- Website: Go to the Ripley Castle website
Ripley Castle Description
Of the many ancient and historic homes in Yorkshire Ripley has been, and remains, in the top flight. Occupied by the same family for some 700 years it has had more than its share of political, military, religious and social turbulence, of plague and persecution, of renaissance, enlightenment and industrial revolution, the results of which are evident throughout the Castle and its surrounding estate, making a visit to Ripley a real must.
With the lives of 26 generations of one family upon which to draw there is a multitude of tales and anecdotes, triumphs and sorrows to hand. Many of these are of special interest to children and at times when the little tinkers are not otherwise occupied, as well as normal tours of the Castle, there are Castle tours specifically for children between the ages of five and thirteen, accompanied by an adult, at 11.30am and 1.30pm at weekends and daily during the school summer holidays and half terms. Further details of these can be found on their own Website.
The magnificent grounds at Ripley contain some of Britain’s largest herbaceous borders, well laced with fountains and lawns. In Spring the National Hyacinth Collection adds wonderful colours to the scene and the scent of the many flowers and shrubs is overwhelmingly beautiful.
The kitchen gardens are notable for fine collections of herbs, spices, fruit trees and vegetables, increasingly popular as cooking programmes occupy more and more space in the media. The wider background of the wooded pleasure grounds carry herds of Fallow and Red Deer, with spacious landscapes and fine vistas overlooking the lake and deer park., A pleasant walk round the peaceful lake leads you over bridges and waterfalls before heading back to the Tearoom and one of the best gift shops in the business.
Disabled facilities have been well thought through and five sets of facilities ensure that you are never far from a comfort stop. The hard of hearing and blind or partially sighted are also well provided for with everything possible done to help them savour the full experience of a day at Ripley Castle.
Ripley Castle has acquired a well-deserved reputation as a place to get married, and it is here that the splendour and richness of the Castle becomes particularly apparent. Two wedding packages are on offer, with no hidden costs and dedicated wedding co-ordinators available to assist where required. Their Weddings brochure will tell you all about it, along with compliments from the long roll-call of those who married at Ripley and remember with affection – and relief – this happiest day of their lives.
Corporate Events also find a ready welcome at Ripley, along with special family occasions such as birthday parties, anniversaries, christenings, family funerals or wakes. On such occasions many turn to the high standards of comfort at The Boar’s Head, a two minute stroll from the Castle, with 25 rooms, all double or twin, and renowned for its excellent food.
Ripley Castle is 15 miles from the A1, and 45 minutes from the M1 and M62. Train and air services have good links with this paradise of enjoyment and convenience.
Opening Times - 2012
Castle (guided tours only):
- January - February: Saturday & Sunday, 11 - 3 pm
- March: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday, 11 am - 3 pm
- April - October: Daily, 11 am - 3 pm
- November: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday, 11 am - 3 pm
- December: Saturday & Sunday, 11 - 3 pm
Please telephone before you visit as opening times may be altered without prior notice
The Castle is open daily throughout the year for pre-arranged group tours
Gardens:
- Open all year: daily, 9 am - 5 pm (4.30 pm winter months)
- Except Chrismas Day, Boxing Day & New Years Day
Admission Prices - 2012
Castle and Gardens:
- Adult - £9.00
- Child (5-16 years) - £5.50
- Child (under 5 years) - Free
- Concession - £8.00
- Family (2+2) - £24.00
Groups (20+):
- Adult - £8.00
- Children - £5.00
Gardens Only:
- Adult - £6.00
- Child (5-16 years) - £4.00
- Child (under 5 years) - Free
- Concession - £5.50
- Family (2+2) - 16.50
Groups (20+):
- Adult - £5.00
- Child - £3.50
More information on the garden can be found on The Gardens Guide.
Further information including opening times and pricesImage Gallery
Events for Ripley Castle
- Armourial Knights Event - 02 June 2012 to 05 June 2012
14th century medieval re-enactment. - Classic Car Rally - 04 June 2012
All makes of Classic Cars on show. - Ripley Falconry Experience - 04 June 2012
See superb displays with birds of prey. - Diamond Jubilee Celebrations - 05 June 2012
Celebrations for the Queens Diamond Jubilee. - Grand Summer Sale - 14 June 2012 to 17 June 2012
Large gift fair, situated on the show field with stands selling home and giftware.
- Taming of the Shrew - 19 June 2012 to 08 July 2012
Performed by Sprite Productions - Shakespeare in the Gardens. - The Snail and The Whale - 30 June 2012
Performed by Sprite Productions - Classic Car Rally - 05 August 2012
All makes of Classic Cars on show. - Ripley Show - 12 August 2012
Local agricultural show. - Country Music Festival - 23 August 2012 to 26 August 2012
Don your hats for a yee ha festival!
- Ripley Falconry Experience - 27 August 2012
See superb displays with birds of prey. - National Garden Scheme Day - 07 September 2012
Gardens open for charity. - LOVE Weddings at Ripley Castle - 14 October 2012
Wedding Fair - come and view this venue. - Chocolate & Beer Festival - 20 October 2012 to 21 October 2012
Food and Drink Fair. - Spooktacular Week - 29 October 2012 to 02 November 2012
A whole host of spooktacular events fun for all the family.
- Christmas Shopping Extravaganza - 15 November 2012
Christmas shopping in the Gift Shop. - Christmas Shopping Extravaganza - 29 November 2012
Christmas shopping in the Gift Shop. - Santa’s Grotto - 01 December 2012 to 02 December 2012
- Christmas Fair - 07 December 2012 to 09 December 2012
- Santa’s Grotto - 08 December 2012 to 09 December 2012
- Christmas Party Nights - 13 December 2012 to 14 December 2012
- Santa’s Grotto - 15 December 2012 to 23 December 2012
- Christmas Party Nights - 23 December 2012
Your Reviews of Ripley Castle
Anon (27 November 2008)
Today I visited Ripley Castle as part of a group. We were not disappointed. The tour guide was so amusing and welcoming, we all felt like we had been invited to tea by the Ingilby's, as we were very much made to feel as part of their home. We also visited the tearooms, and once again all the staff were so friendly and patient. I felt like a princess for the day. A few days before our visit I had visited the Stately Homes website to find a place to take the grandchildren for the weekend. I looked for Ripley Castle as I knew I would be visiting. I read the comments by Lyndsey Acreman, and I was rather concerned about visiting the Castle. I don't know if any new management have been employed since Mrs Acreman's visit, but we couldn't have been looked after more. I suggest Mrs Acreman visit again to see what a vast difference there is.
Lyndsay Acreman (06 May 2008)
While searching for a place to visit on a rainy Sunday, my partner and I decided to try out Ripley Castle. The prices were not bad, considering the length of the tour and delightful wealth of information given to us by our very friendly tour guide. The weather was still awful when this was over, so we hurried over to the tearooms. We had not eaten lunch as we had not expected to be whisked immediately into a tour, and were therefore very hungry by 3pm. We saw with pleasure that the place was not busy, and were convinced we had done the right thing by not lingering in the gift shop. It took a while to be seated, despite there being only four tables in use and five staff present. All I can say is we should have taken this as a sign. Soon after we had ordered a white coffee, a hot chocolate, a teacake and a cake from the counter, the rest of the group arrived and were duly seated. Half an hour later we received the teacake. Expecting the rest to follow, we waited, and waited, and waited. Everyone in the entire room had been served except us. This included those who had ordered whole meals. Finally, I went over to where the five incapable members of staff were, and asked where the rest of our order had gone. No apology or explanation was offered. Just an obsession asking which table I was seated at. Ten minutes later, we were still waiting and made the decision to leave. My partner, having worked in the industry himself, decided to let them know we were going, rather than leaving the money for the teacakes as I wished to do. He returned with a look of amazement and informed me they were almost finished with our order. A few minutes later, one of the girls finally came over with a black coffee and the wrong cake from the cabinet. There was still no apology, just a scared look. By this time the entire room was staring at us due to our continuous rising from the table. We left the money for what they had given us and walked out, leaving the unwanted black coffee and cake. I have never walked out of a restaurant, let alone a tea room. I have also never written a review before today. I guess at least the tearoom has given me a voice, however angry it has left me.
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Additional Info for Ripley Castle
Open All Year- Parks
- Gardens
- Playgrounds
- Weddings
- Disabled Access
- Education
- Accommodation
- Refreshments
- Picnics
- Guides
- Meals Available
- Haunted
- Conferences
- Gifts
- Nursery
- Live Entertainment
- Shop
- Car Parking
Heritage Groups
- Historic Houses Association
Credit Cards Accepted
- Mastercard
- Visa
- Switch
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