White rabbits, Afternoon tea on the canal, Winners & wildflowers, & Ghostly goings-on

How well do you know Ripon & the Skell Valley? There's always something new to discover.

Ripon’s canal basin was created around 1769 and then abandoned 200 years later. Now the canal is thriving again, overlooked by restored historic buildings, and alive to the sights and sounds of nature. A trip on a canal boat gives a very different view of Ripon, and in the summer months you can enjoy afternoon tea aboard a narrowboat with Ripon Scenic Cruises.

Ripon's White Rabbit Summer Trail and other summer fun

Ripon’s White Rabbit Summer Trail runs from 20th July - 30th August, throughout the Summer holidays, helping families to explore the city and its brilliant businesses - and win prizes. Pick up a trail leaflet from Ripon Library, Ripon BID office, Specsavers, Ripon Uniform Shop and G Craggs. There are also Alice in Wonderland activity days at the Workhouse Museum on 30th July & 20th August.

Winners and wildflowers

Huge congratulations to lovely Maggie at Mallard Grange Farmhouse Bed & Breakfast near Fountains Abbey who has just won AA Best Bed & Breakfast of the Year in England Award! Their family has also recently opened the stunning Mallard Grange Farm pick-your-own wildflower patch, which is really beautiful and a lovely way to spend some time, with the added bonus of being able to take some lovely flowers home with you!

Ghostly goings-on

Ripon Museum’s fun ghost walks are a good way to see (or imagine?) a different side of Ripon and learn about the city’s history. Every month costumed guides lead groups from the Market Place to meander through the old streets and ghostly ginnels, unearthing facts, and telling haunting tales. 

There are plenty of stories to be told: of haunted pubs, kings who came to stay only to later be beheaded, bone collections, and a heedless young man who stole skulls only to be haunted by a headless ghost. With tales from the prison cells and the Victorian Workhouse, the guides bring hidden stories and mysteries to life. Find out more

And there’s more!

For more ideas on where to go and what to do, please see Visit Ripon, and Ripon Together.