GENERAL PRESS INFORMATION 2012
Awards:
*
RICS White Rose Award for best the tourism development following the
opening of the East Wing for corporate entertaining, weddings etc 2005.
*
Winner of the White Rose Award for “Best Small Visitor Attraction of the
Year 2006 and 2009
*
Sir Thomas Ingilby - Harrogate Tourism Ambassador of the Year 2009
*
Silver Winner of the Enjoy England Awards for Excellence 2007 and 2010
*
Ackrill Awards 2010 - Best Tourism Business Award
The Castle:
The Ingilby family are one of the ten oldest families in the country still in the
same residence and celebrated 700 years of history in the castle in 2009.
Consequently there are fascinating stories to be told about the Castle and its
inhabitants and because it has belonged to the same family for 26 generations,
Ripley’s colourful and sometimes gruesome history is well documented.
The first clue to the magnificence of Ripley Castle lies in its impressive 15th
century arched gatehouse at the entrance to its 1,000 acres. Romance and
drama, villainy and heroism all feature strongly in the ongoing story of the
Ingilby’s of Ripley Castle. If walls could talk they would tell tales of kings and
queens, religious persecution, civil war and plagues, eccentric ancestors and
ghost stories.
During your visit to Ripley you will find out how Sir Thomas Ingilby saved King
Edward III life by killing the Wild Boar that was about to commit regicide; why
there are musket ball holes in the Castle Gatehouse ; how Oliver Cromwell was
kept at gunpoint in the Library by ‘Trooper Jane’ Ingilby; why there is a secret
hiding hole in the Knight’s Chamber; and how nine of the eleven main
conspirators of the Gunpowder Plot were connected to the Ingilby’s.
In addition to the normal tours of the Castle which take place throughout the
year by the experienced guides, there are special tours specifically for children
with an accompany adult every weekend from 31st March until 4th November
and daily during the school Summer holidays and half terms (except February).
These take place daily at 11.30am and 1.30pm and are very amusing and
informative. They are geared for children between the ages of five and sixteen.
The Gardens:
Once you have visited this fascinating Castle there are then the delights of the
magnificent grounds. Ripley Castle’s grounds contain some of Britain’s largest
herbaceous borders, interspersed with fountains and lawns.
There are walled gardens that are a pleasure to visit at any time of the year and
in April/May contain the National Hyacinth Collection which creates a delightful
pastiche of colours and fragrances. The Garden Room contains the Estate’s 1907
fire engine – if a fire broke out at Ripley various members of staff would be
detailed to drag the machine as quickly as possible to the scene of the outbreak.
The hothouses contain a magnificent tropical plant collection rescued in 1991
from Botanical Gardens in Hull which were closing down.
The kitchen gardens contain rare collections of herbs and spices, fruit trees and
vegetables. A walk around the wooded pleasure grounds leads to the lakeside
path where herds of Fallow and Red Deer graze peacefully under ancient oak
trees. There are fine vistas over the lake and deer park and a walk around the
lake will take you over bridges and waterfalls.
Within the pleasure grounds is a small children’s play trail where the young can
release their energy whilst parents sit on benches and take in the magnificent
surroundings.
For those people who don't want to explore the gardens themselves, on the last
Wednesday of every month between February and September they can enjoy a
tour of the Gardens with our lady gardener, Dorothy. The tours will commence at
1.30pm and last approximately one hour. Dates: 29th February, 28th March,
25th April, 30th May, 27th June, 25th July, 29th August and 26th September.
The Tearoom:
The Tearoom is open seven days a week all year round (except Christmas Day,
Boxing Day and New Year’s day) and serves delicious traditional English food
using the finest local produce where possible and produce from the Castle’s
kitchen gardens. It is fully licensed and also has a children’s menu. The
Tearoom underwent refurbishment in February this year and introduced new
menus.
The Gift Shop:
The Gift Shop is open daily throughout the year with the exception of Christmas
Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. It has something for everyone and offers
an imaginative range of fantastic gifts, souvenirs, beautiful jewellery accessories,
cards books and a very good children’s section. Seasonal plants from the Castle
gardens.
The Boar’s Head:
The Boar’s Head is situated in the heart of the village. It is a restored Coaching
Inn and one of the Great Inns of Britain. Having been a ‘dry’ village for 71 years
following the closure of three inns by Sir William Ingilby in 1919, The Boar’s
Head was opened in 1990. It has 25 en-suite bedrooms and serves deliciously
wholesome food using local produce and produce from the Castle’s kitchen
gardens wherever possible. It is open for bar snacks, lunch and dinner and in
the summer months there is a Beer Garden.
Ripley Village:
Within the Estate is Ripley village. When Sir William Amcotts Ingilby visited
France in the 1830’s he was so inspired by a model estate village that he visited,
that he returned home and rebuilt Ripley virtually from scratch. From the large
car park it is only a short walk to the castle and village with its cobbled market
square, ancient church, art gallery and shops.
Opening Times:
Castle: (by Guided Tour only)
Tours available from 11.00am - 3.00pm
April – October Daily
November & March: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday
December, January & February: Weekends only
Gardens: Open daily throughout the year (except Christmas Day, Boxing Day &
New Year’s Day) 9.00am—5.00pm (4.30pm winter months)
No dogs allowed except for guide dogs
ADMISSION PRICES:
Castle and Gardens
Adults
£9.00
Concession
£8.00
Child (5-16)
£5.50
Child (under 5)
Free
Family Ticket
£24.00
(2 adults & 2 Children)
Gardens only
Adults
£6.00
Concession
£5.50
Child (5-16)
£4.00
Child (under 5) Free
Family Ticket
£16.50
(2 adults & 2 Children)
Groups
Castle and Gardens
Groups (20+)
Groups of
Children (20+)
Gardens only
Groups (20+)
Groups of
Children (20+)
£8.00
£5.00
£5.00
£3.50
Members of the Serving Armed Forces will be admitted free of charge (with proof
of identification) plus up to three members of their family.
DISABLED VISITORS:
Mobility buggies are available to visitors by prior arrangement—01423 770152.
Neck loop system available for people with hearing difficulties. Special
arrangements can be made for people with disabilities and impairments. Visit
www.ripleycastle.co.uk for more information.
HOW TO FIND US:
The Ripley Castle Estate is situated on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, three
miles north of Harrogate and seven miles south of Ripon on the A61.
TRAVEL:
The 36 Bus service goes from Leeds to Ripon via Harrogate and Ripley up to 110
times daily. Details: Harrogate District Travel 01423 566061.Regular train
services from York and Leeds to Harrogate, easy transfer to 36 bus service. Visit
www.the36.co.uk.
CONTACT DETAILS:
Ripley Castle
Ripley
Harrogate
North Yorkshire
HG3 3AY
Tel: 01423 770152
Email: enquiries@ripleycastle.co.uk
Web: www.ripleycastle.co.uk
For further press information:
Alison Crawford
PR & Marketing Manager
Tel: 01423 770152
Email: acrawford@tipleycastle.co.uk