Exciting news! Our faithful Hornblowers will be ‘setting the watch’ in London during the World Travel Market event, which takes place at the Excel London from November 6 to November 8.
North Yorkshire Council, Visit York, Visit Leeds, and Herriot Country Tourism will be hosting a special event on board City Cruises’ flagship vessel Erasmus on the River Thames this coming Monday (6th November) to promote to the world all that the North has to offer to tourists.
We think coming to Ripon to see the Wakeman performing the nightly 9pm ritual in the market square, is one of the essential things to do while visiting our wonderful city.
Before long, the colours in the landscape at Fountain’s Abbey will be turning and we will be able to enjoy the beautiful Autumn canvas created. If you are planning to visit Ripon, it is the perfect time to see Fountains Abbey and Deer Park. The Abbey ruins will be floodlit on Friday 27 October, Friday 3 November and Saturday 4 November. There will be choirs singing in the cellarium between 7pm – 8pm https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/yorkshire/fountains-abbey-and-studley-royal-water-garden/fountains-by-floodlight
Half term in Ripon promises to be full of lively and ghoulish fun. There are plenty of activities on offer and many of them are free!
Pumpkin Hunt – Saturday 28th October – Saturday 4th November
Kids, how about some extra pocket money? You could win £20, £15 or £10 by entering the search for pumpkins among Ripon’s businesses. Entry sheets are available free from the Ripon BID office at 8 Westgate.
Best Pumkin Competition
Vote for your favourite pumpkin to support your favourite business and give them a chance to win £250 in media spend using the QR code or filling in the form on the website https://visitripon.co.uk/event/pumpkin-hunt/
There are FREE kids Halloween Magic Shows at The Unicorn & The Magdalens on 31st October and 1st and 2nd November
On 31st October from 4pm-7pm in the Market Square you will find giant wandering puppets, games, activities, stalls, face painting and more.
Ripon Museums
It is worth checking out the Prison and Police, Workhouse and Courthouse museums in Ripon for details of their extra activities over half term.
Ripon City Bonfire
The Rotary Club of Ripon Rowels are putting on their annual spectacular bonfire and firework display at Ripon Racecourse. Discounted advance tickets are available from Hay’s Travel, Nisa Local on Lead Lane, Ripon Leisure Centre, Craggs Electrical and Ripon Print Group.
Frightwater Valley
Also during half term, Lightwater Valley are putting on some extra activities, as well as the usual rides and attractions.
There will be a trick or treat trail, live scare maze, face painting, tomb stone trail, spooky sing-along and much more.
Fountains Abbey and Deer Park
The Abbey and Deer Park are open every day except Friday 3rd November during half term. For ideas of what activities to do when you get there, visit the website here https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/50-things and start planning!
The new neighbours that have moved in next door to the Old Telephone Exchange at Bishop Monkton are a friendly bunch – curious but a bit sheepish 😉 If you are interested in booking this cosy holiday let retreat you can book us via our contact form.
Following up on our blog in early March announcing the acquisition of Little Harries Farm (previously Snow Close Farm) and Livery, and Little Harries Cottage, things have moved along over the summer and there is plenty of activity going on.
The livery now homes several horses, who have been enjoying the fields and meadows over the summer months.
Little Harries Cottage was opened in April as a holiday let for guests. This spacious 3-bedroom detached house is the perfect place for a family to stay. It has fenced gardens surrounding it and is set on the edge of Ripon (just 15 minutes’ walk to the city centre), surrounded by fields and our neighbourly horses. Well-behaved dogs are welcome too.
The kitchen has a dishwasher, a top loader washing machine, a sizeable fridge, a cooker with a hob, a microwave, and all the everyday items you need. There are 2 dining areas and a lounge, a family bathroom, 2 king-size bedrooms and a room with bunk beds. A cot and highchair are available on request too.
Visitors to Ripon Cathedral still have time to see an exhibition of icons written by the Revd Canon Ian Holdsworth of the Yorkshire School of Icons. The exhibition runs until 6th October, with potential for a workshop for those interested in writing an icon to be held between the 2nd & 6th. Contact the Cathedral Office to book on 01765 603462
On Friday 15th September Ciaran Houlihan & The Memphis Moon Boys are performing an Elvis by Candlelight tribute or, if you prefer the music of Abba, on Saturday 16th September Abba Reunion tribute band are also performing by candlelight. Dancing in the aisles is allowed! Both events have a fully licensed bar and doors open at 6:45pm. Tickets are available via the link on the ‘What’s On’ page at www.riponcathedral.org.uk/whats-on/
Also during the weekend, as part of the National Heritage Open Day on Saturday 16th September, there will be organised tours of Ripon Cathedral bell tower for groups of 10 people lasting 50 minutes. To book your place please call in at the Cathedral Shop.
We are now the proud owners of Snow Close Farm and Livery!
We have changed the name back to the original name of Little Harries Farm, although in the 1900s it was actually spelt Little Harry’s and was later changed to Little Harries before becoming Snow Close.
We are very excited to get to work converting the farm house into a family home.
In the meantime, we are bringing the land back to life by reintroducing DIY livery and already have our first 2 horses, Honey and Winnie!
We are currently decorating Little Harries Cottage which will be available for holiday rentals soon! You could even bring your horse on holiday with you!
If you would like to enquire about renting the cottage or a stable, please do get in touch…
After a last-minute cancellation of our Saturday night plans (damn you, Coronavirus), we found Ripon to be unusually busy due to it being the final races day of the year. Fortunately for us, Valentino’s managed to squeeze us in for an early dinner.
A family favourite for us because we are BIG fans of a thin and oh-so-crispy pizza base, Valentino’s have never let us down. We started with a bruschetta, a caprese salad and some chicken wings, followed by a pizza each – of course.
Valentino’s Pizza
A pizza is a very personal thing, and everyone has their favourite toppings. It’s difficult to dislike the Valentino’s Pizza however, as it has a little bit of everything, separated into its own individual sections for a real taste explosion.
Oh, it would be wrong not to mention the traditional Italian dessert Affogato, with ice cream, espresso and a shot of Amaretto. And it would be wrong of Valentino’s not to finish it off with a couple of wafers and their trademark parasol.
The newly refurbished Valentino’s still has all its original charm but with a fresh new look. Moving the toilets to the back of the restaurant has enabled them to create some gorgeous bedrooms upstairs, so they are now offering a bed and traditional Italian breakfast service for their guests.
It’s worth noting that Valentino’s also offer a collection / takeaway service. Just give them a call on 01765 604201.
Well done, Valentino’s. We will continue to return.
On opening day, we called in to Loungers’ newest cafe/bar directly on Ripon’s market square. A fabulous setting overlooking the obelisk with quirky decor and a cool vibe. The staff were dapper and attentive, the music was just the right volume and the atmosphere was perfect.
We ordered the All-Day Lounge Breakfast and the Bang Bang Chicken washed down with a cold glass of Chardonnay, and we were not disappointed.
It’s fair to say, this will not be our last visit to Claro Lounge.
