- A walk near Ripley Castle
- Rolling lands with good paths
- A backdrop of castle & grounds
It took me a long time to visit Ripley Castle and it’s grounds. Goodness knows why as I must have passed Ripley hundreds of times on the interminable trip from Newcastle to Long Preston. However some friends came to stay and it inspired the family on a trip to Ripley and a general exploration of the area. A hot day and a dog ban in the castle meant myself and Mist were dispatched to the lands around the castle whilst the remainder of family and friends went inside, visited the gardens and took the not too cheap tour.
The walk itself was pleasant enough, I walked for an hour and a half through rolling countryside and isolated farms, initially along a cycle track and then a path. There are some glimpses of the castle and estate over woodland and walls but do not expect to see too much. However I returned to the excellent cafe to meet the others and found I was there quite a bit earlier, the walk was good and I should have extended it.
Recommend: Those who went inside enjoyed the tour and thoroughly approved of the gardens
All maps are copyright of Where2Walk © 2020
| OS Map: |
O/S 1.25,000. 298 Nidderdale Buy Now |
| Start Point: | SE 284603. The parking at Ripley is in a free car park just a few metres south of the centre of the village. |
| Height to Climb: | 118 ms (387 feet) |
| Terrain: | Tracks and paths are good. There is a path near the walls alongside the busy B6165 |
| Eating & Drinking: | Ripley is tailored for tourists so plenty of pubs, including the Boars Head Inn and cafes |
| Similar Walks Nearby: |
Fountains Abbey & Studley Park Lower Nidd at Dacre Banks Brimham Rocks |
| Places to Stay: |
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I understand the world famous Ripley ice cream is not real ice cream made from powder – Bettys is proper ice cream.
Be aware that a farmer has blocked part of this route. There is barbed wire across the entrance to a copse, and the access to a route round the outside of the copse has a gate tied across it. We got through, to go round the copse, but it does not make walkers welcome. In places, very muddy this weekend, as the fields hold the water. The last bit, along the road, is with busy traffic going past. You need an OS map to keep you on course, as it’s not all clearly signed. There is a lovely little distillery in Ripley, as well as the pub. Very welcoming and worth a visit. Use the free car park and toilets in Ripley before you start.
There is one pub only.
It was relatively recently opened as the village was ‘dry ‘ for years!
Its biggest claim to fame was the Ripley ice cream which
attracted many people to call for a cornet.
The previous owners who were responsible for the success of the ice cream
also had the main shop as a lovely deli but I believe it now just sells sweets!