Showcasing Ripon’s world‑class attractions and investment to the Mayor of York & North Yorkshire

Today we were delighted to welcome David Skaith, Mayor of York & North Yorkshire, to Ripon for a focused tour of some of the city’s leading attractions — each a major employer, investor and driver of our visitor economy.

Lilla Bathurst, manager of Ripon BID, was pleased to accompany the Mayor and coordinate the visit on behalf of the Visit Ripon group.

🔹 Lightwater Valley
Under the Mellors Group, the park is benefitting from significant investment to refresh rides, improve facilities and strengthen its family‑focused offer. As one of the area’s largest seasonal employers, it plays a vital role in supporting local jobs.
🔹 Ripon Museums
At the Workhouse Museum, the Mayor heard about the £3.3m Fairer Futures project, enhancing accessibility, interpretation and community engagement across all three sites — securing long‑term sustainability and supporting staff and volunteers.
🔹 Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal
We explored the Studley Revealed project — a £4.6m investment that will help tell the story of this World Heritage Site. It will transform a busy area of the water garden with a more accessible café seating up to 60 people (up from 54), a new admission point and improved toilets, supporting both visitors and the estate’s workforce.
🔹 Ripon Races
The racecourse highlighted its role as a key economic asset — from race days to year‑round events, venue hire and the recent Downton Abbey filming. It remains a significant employer and an important part of Ripon’s identity.
🔹 Newby Hall
As one of the region’s most important historic houses and a major visitor attraction, Newby Hall continues to be a powerful draw for Ripon and North Yorkshire. The Mayor heard about their partnership with English Marquee Company and investment in the new glass marquee, alongside the estate’s office space for local enterprises and wide‑ranging employment across horticulture, heritage, events and visitor services.

Ripon is fortunate to have such a diverse and ambitious group of attractions — all investing, all employing local people, and all contributing to the cultural and economic vibrancy of our city.

Time didn’t allow visits to other major attractions including The Old Deanery, Ripon Cathedral, the Prison & Police and Courthouse Museums, Himalayan Gardens, Markenfield Hall, the Canal Basin and Grantley Hall — all vital to Ripon’s visitor offer and employment landscape.

A huge thank you to all the teams who welcomed us and shared their plans for the future. Ripon has so much to be proud of — and even more to look forward to.

Lightwater Valley: l-r Gemma O’Boyle, David Skaith, Annabelle St John, Lilla Bathurst

Workhouse Museum: l-r David Skaith, Alexa Vernon, Andy Dewhurst

Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal: l-r Justin Scully, David Skaith, Jenni Shepherd, Katie Gisbourne

Ripon Races: David Skaith & James Hutchinson

Newby Hall: David Skaith & Stuart Gill