Visit Ripon

Walking Routes

Explore Ripon in 5 fantastic walks – scroll down to view with Google Maps.

For many years Ripon Civic Society and other local bodies have been placing plaques – to commemorate people and places – on buildings and at other sites in Ripon. The plaques celebrate Ripon’s rich architectural and cultural history, special places of interest and famous individuals who have shaped the City over the centuries.

Ripon’s plaques are themselves now part of the fabric of the City. They provide interesting reading: so, even if you think you know about Ripon, why not explore them for yourself?

City Centre Discovery Trail

This leisurely city stroll begins outside Ripon’s Georgian Town Hall before taking you on a journey of discovery around the ancient City of Ripon. There is an abundance of independent cafes and retailers in such a small area.

Approx Duration: 30 mins
Distance: 0.9 miles
Elevation: 52 ft
Accesibility Rating: 8/10
Terrain: Paved city streets
Parking: St Margate & Cathedral car park

  1. Starting in the Market Square, outside Ripon Town Hall, face the Obelisk and turn left before crossing the road to continue along Market Place West
  2. Continuing straight ahead, follow the pavement down onto Fishergate, observing ‘Lavender Alley’ on your right
  3. Upon entering North Street, follow the path until you arrive at Sharon’s Barber Shop
  4. Cross the road and retrace your steps back up North Street until you encounter a sizeable covered passageway on your left
  5. Go through the passageway and enter Temple Gardens via the gateway directly ahead
  6. Once in the gardens, turn right and take an immediate left upon entering Allhallowgate to proceed down the hill
  7. Passing the Workhouse Museum on your left, continue down the hill and cross the road at the bottom to enter St Marygate
  8. Keeping to the right side of the road, follow St Marygate past the Prison and Police Museum and round a tight right bend
  9. Passing between the Old Deanery and Ripon Cathedral, you can cross the road, explore the Cathedral, or continue the route
  10. If you choose to continue, turn right and follow Kirkgate and Market Place South up the hill

City Centre & River Skell Discovery Trail

This easy City centre stroll begins outside Ripon’s Georgian Town Hall, taking you on a journey past a rich tapestry of historic buildings, the Spa Gardens and a wildlife corridor along part of the River Skell.

Approx Duration: 45 mins
Distance: 1.5 miles
Elevation: 56 ft
Accesibility Rating: 5/10
Terrain: Paved city streets and off road paths
Parking: St Margate & Cathedral car park

  1. Starting in the Market Square, outside Ripon Town Hall, face the Obelisk, turn left and follow the pavement to the traffic lights
  2. Cross the road at the traffic lights and continue along Westgate
  3. At the end of the road, take the left fork along Park Street, keeping the Edwardian Spa Baths on your left before entering Spa Gardens
  4. Follow the path through Spa Gardens to the opposite corner and descend the stairs onto Skellbank
  5. Turn left and continue to the traffic lights
  6. Cross the road at the traffic lights and continue down Low Skellgate. For your safety, it is better to walk down the left side of Low Skellgate
  7. Cross the stone bridge, turn left onto Barefoot Street and follow the River Skell until you reach The Water Rat pub
  8. Continue along the path until you reach a ford and wooden footbridge
  9. Cross the footbridge and turn left, following the Skell until you arrive opposite the Water Rat

Studley Royal Circular

This circular walk takes you along the River Skell to Studley Royal Deer Park before returning to Ripon through picturesque fields.

Approx Duration: 2 hours
Distance: 6.8 miles
Elevation: 407 ft
Accesibility Rating: 3/10
Terrain: Paved city streets and off road paths
Parking: St Margate & Cathedral car park

  1. Starting outside Ripon Town Hall, face the obelisk, turn left and take the first left onto High Skellgate
  2. At the bottom of the hill, turn right onto Skellbank and follow the pavement onto Mallorie Park Drive
  3. Cross the road to the left-hand side and continue until you reach a side road name High Cleugh on your left
  4. Turn left and follow High Cleugh to the end before bearing right to follow the path that leads towards the river and wooden bridge
  5. Cross the rustic bridge over the river and turn right to enter Hell Wath
  6. Ascend the concrete stairs on your left and follow the path through the woodland
  7. Descend the carved steps and continue until you reach the edge of the woodland
  8. Upon reaching an open field, take the path directly in front of you and follow it round to the left until you reach some more carved steps
  9. At the top of these steps, turn right and follow the path until you encounter a cottage with a gate to your right
  10. Go through the gate and continue across the iron footbridge
  11. At the intersection, take the lefthand path to Studley Roger
  12. Upon reaching the village, cross the road and follow the path to enter the National Trust Studley Royal Estate. Please ensure your dog is on a lead from this point onwards
  13. Enter the main drive and follow it up to St Mary’s Church, keeping into the side to avoid vehicles that use the drive to enter and leave the estate
  14. Continue to follow the drive up to the church and take the grass path on your left that is opposite the pedestrian entrance
  15. Descend the hill, being careful to mind your footing and cross the car park towards the lake
  16. At this stage, you can either explore Studley Royal Deer Park or follow the main path to return to the drive
  17. From the drive, retrace your steps back through the village and along the same footpath you entered until you reach the intersection
  18. At the intersection continue straight ahead, exiting the fields through a wooden gate
  19. Cross the road and follow the path across the stone bridge to the mini roundabout
  20. Continue straight ahead onto Studley Road until you reach a second mini roundabout
  21. Cross the road and go straight ahead onto Park Street
  22. Walk down Park Street, passing Spa Gardens on your right and at the end of the road, take the right fork to walk up Westgate and return to the Market Square

Riverside Ramble

Starting outside Ripon Town Hall, this route takes you on a journey through historic streets, past a 12th Century Chapel and along sections of the River Skell and Ure.

Approx Duration: 45 mins
Distance: 1.5 miles
Elevation: 56 ft
Accesibility Rating: 5/10
Terrain: Paved city streets and off road paths
Parking: St Margate & Cathedral car park

  1. Starting outside Ripon Town Hall, face the obelisk and turn left before crossing the road to continue down Market Place West
  2. Follow the pavement along, Market Place West and continue until you reach the Curzon cinema
  3. Cross the road, outside the cinema and turn right to continue back along North Street until you encounter a wide covered passageway on your left
  4. Go through the passageway and continue until you reach a gateway into Temple Gardens
  5. Bearing right, continue through Temple Gardens until you reach Allhallowgate
  6. Upon entering Allhallowgate, turn left and proceed down the hill, passing the Workhouse Museum on your left
  7. At the bottom of the hill, turn left onto Stonebridgegate and follow the pavement down past Aldi onto Magdalen’s Road
  8. OPTIONAL Detour Designed by local artist, Dan Metcalfe in 2018 to mark 100 years since the end of WW1, there are a number of sculptures dotted around the city, depicting soldiers and other figures from the conflict. To find the first, cross the road using the crossing at the start of Magdalen’s Road. Immediately ahead you will see a sculpture of a nurse and wounded soldier, entitled Nelly and Blind John. Take some time to reflect on the sculpture and retrace your steps back to Magdalen’s Road to continue the route
  9. Passing the 12th century Mary Magdalene Leper Chapel on your right, continue to follow the path until you encounter an opening on the opposite side of the road just after the road bends to the left
  10. Cross the road and go through the kissing gate into the field. On your left as you go through the gate is the Fred and Bones sculpture, the second silhouette soldier on this route
  11. Follow the path under the bridge, keeping the River Ure on your left until you reach a large open field
  12. Keeping right, walk along the path and immediately after passing some houses you will come to a second kissing gate
  13. Go through the gate and turn left, onto Low Mill
  14. Continue straight ahead and walk along Low Mill, passing Phoenix Business park on your right
  15. At the end of the road, turn left, cross the footbridge and bear right to follow the riverside path
  16. Continue to follow the path until you reach a set of concrete steps
  17. Ascend the steps, turn right and follow the pavement up Bedern Bank until you reach the Cathedral
  18. At this point, you can explore Ripon Cathedral or alternatively cross the Road to walk up Kirkgate to return to the Market Square

Canal Walk

Starting outside Ripon Town Hall, this walk snakes its way along Ripon Canal and seamlessly blends the glorious Yorkshire countryside with Ripon’s unique urban environment.

Approx Duration: 30 mins
Distance: 1 mile
Elevation: 120 ft
Accesibility Rating: 4/10
Terrain: Paved city streets and off road paths
Parking: St Margate & Cathedral car park

  1. Short Route: Starting outside Ripon Town Hall, turn right and continue down Market Square South
  2. Take the right fork onto Duck hill
  3. At the bottom of the hill, turn left onto Skellgarths and continue until you reach the roundabout
  4. Upon reaching the roundabout, cross the road, continue straight ahead and cross the stone bridge over the River Skell
  5. Once outside Ripon Bowling Club, cross the road and enter the canal basin through the gateway
  6. Follow the towpath on your left under Ripon Bypass until you reach the first set of locks. For those who want a shorter walk, you may wish to retrace your steps
  7. Short Circuit Extension: Continue to follow the towpath, crossing a wooden footbridge over the entrance to Ripon Marina until you reach Nicholson’s Bridge
  8. Cross over the bridge and follow the farm track until you reach an asphalt road
  9. Turn right and follow the road back towards Ripon, keeping to the the right-hand side
  10. At the end of the road, just before it bends sharp left, continue straight ahead and cross the bridge over the canal
  11. Cross the main road to Ripon Bowling Club, turn right and take the first left down a short street that leads to the Water Rat Pub and a wooden footbridge
  12. Continue across the wooden footbridge onto Low St Agnesgate and upon reaching the Cathedral Church yard, turn left onto High St Agnesgate
  13. Go through the gates into the churchyard and walk up the hill to reach the main doors of the Cathedral
  14. Cross the road and walk up Kirkgate
  15. Canal Walk Long Circuit Extension: For the more adventurous walker, follow the route up to point 7 but continue to follow the towpath
  16. Continue to follow the towpath, passing the entrance to Ripon Wetlands on your left until you reach Renton’s Bridge
  17. Cross over the bridge and bear right to follow the country lane
  18. At the end of the lane, turn right and follow the road until you encounter a junction with Littlethorpe Church on your right
  19. Turn right at the junction and follow the road, keeping to the right-hand side
  20. At the end of the road, cross the white bridge over the canal and turn left to retrace your steps back to the canal basin
  21. Retrace your steps using points 1-6

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