Motorhome Hire in Ripon

Ripon is a city of quiet distinction. One of the smallest cities in England, it has a cathedral that dates back to the seventh century, a market square where the Hornblower has sounded the horn every evening at nine o'clock since 886 AD, and a position on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales that makes it a natural base for motorhome touring. At approximately 40 minutes from our Pontefract depot, Ripon is one of the easiest and most rewarding destinations in North Yorkshire.

Ripon Cathedral is a building of extraordinary historical importance. Its crypt, built by St Wilfrid in 672 AD, is one of the oldest surviving structures in English Christianity. The cathedral above has been rebuilt and extended over the centuries, and the current building combines Norman, Early English, and Decorated Gothic architecture. The choir stalls feature remarkable misericord carvings, and the east window is a fine example of medieval stained glass.

Fountains Abbey, four miles west of Ripon, is the largest monastic ruin in the country and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Founded by Cistercian monks in 1132, the abbey grew to become one of the wealthiest monasteries in England before the Dissolution. The ruins are remarkably complete, and walking through the nave and cloisters gives a powerful sense of the scale and ambition of medieval monastic life. The adjoining Studley Royal Water Garden, created in the eighteenth century, is one of the finest Georgian water gardens in Europe, with moon ponds, cascades, and a surprise view of the abbey framed by the valley.

The market square in Ripon is one of the finest in Yorkshire. The Obelisk at its centre was erected in 1781, and the weekly Thursday market has traded here for centuries. The Hornblower, or Wakeman, sets the night watch at nine o'clock each evening by sounding a horn at each corner of the Obelisk, a tradition that has continued for over 1,100 years and is believed to be the oldest civic ceremony in the country.

Ripon Racecourse, known as Yorkshire's Garden Racecourse, sits in a beautiful riverside setting and holds meetings throughout the spring and summer. The Workhouse Museum, in the grounds of the former Union Workhouse, tells the story of poverty and welfare from the Victorian era through to the twentieth century. The Prison and Police Museum, also in Ripon, occupies the former police station and magistrates' court and offers a fascinating look at local law enforcement through the ages.

For motorhome travellers, Ripon's position is superb. Harrogate is just 11 miles to the south, offering its spa heritage, gardens, and independent shops. The Dales stretch westward from the city, with Masham, famous for its breweries, just nine miles away. Nidderdale, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is accessible via Pateley Bridge, and the market towns of Leyburn and Middleham in Wensleydale are within half an hour.

From our Pontefract depot, the drive to Ripon takes approximately 40 minutes via the A1(M) and A61. The route is straightforward, and once you arrive, the Dales, the Vale of York, and the eastern edges of the North Pennines are all within easy reach. Ripon combines the convenience of a small city with genuine proximity to some of the finest countryside in England.