Here are 5 lovely short Ripon walks, of distances between 1 to 4 miles, lasting 30 minutes to 2 hours. There is also a PDF map download and Google Maps links of each of the walks, both are really helpful and very detailed.
WALK 1 - City Centre Discovery Trail
Distance - 1 mile, 30 minutes walk
Parking: St Margate & Cathedral car park
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.
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
Continuing straight ahead, follow the pavement down onto Fishergate, observing ‘Lavender Alley’ on your right
Upon entering North Street, follow the path until you arrive at the Curzon Cinema
Cross the road and retrace your steps back up North Street until you encounter a sizeable covered passageway on your left
Go through the passageway and enter Temple Gardens via the gateway directly ahead
Once in the gardens, turn right and take an immediate left upon entering Allhallowgate to proceed down the hill
Passing the Workhouse Museum on your left, continue down the hill and cross the road at the bottom to enter St Marygate
Keeping to the right side of the road, follow St Marygate past the Prison and Police Museum and round a tight right bend
Passing between the Old Deanery and Ripon Cathedral, you can cross the road, explore the Cathedral, or continue the route
If you choose to continue, turn right and follow Kirkgate and Market Place South up the hill
WALK 2 - City Centre AND River Skell Discovery Trail
Distance - 1.5 mile, 45 minutes walk
Parking: St Margate & Cathedral car park
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.
Starting in the Market Square, outside Ripon Town Hall, face the Obelisk, turn left and follow the pavement to the traffic lights
Cross the road at the traffic lights and continue along Westgate
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
Follow the path through Spa Gardens to the opposite corner and descend the stairs onto Skellbank
Turn left and continue to the traffic lights
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
Cross the stone bridge, turn left onto Barefoot Street and follow the River Skell until you reach The Water Rat pub
Continue along the path until you reach a ford and wooden footbridge
Cross the footbridge and turn left, following the Skell until you arrive opposite the Water Rat
WALK 3 - Studley Royal Circular
Distance - 6.8 miles, 2 hours walk
Parking: St Margate & Cathedral car park
This circular walk takes you along the River Skell to Studley Royal Deer Park before returning to Ripon through picturesque fields.
Starting outside Ripon Town Hall, face the obelisk, turn left and take the first left onto High Skellgate
At the bottom of the hill, turn right onto Skellbank and follow the pavement onto Mallorie Park Drive
Cross the road to the left-hand side and continue until you reach a side road name High Cleugh on your left
Turn left and follow High Cleugh to the end before bearing right to follow the path that leads towards the river and wooden bridge
Cross the rustic bridge over the river and turn right to enter Hell Wath
Ascend the concrete stairs on your left and follow the path through the woodland
Descend the carved steps and continue until you reach the edge of the woodland
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
At the top of these steps, turn right and follow the path until you encounter a cottage with a gate to your right
Go through the gate and continue across the iron footbridge
At the intersection, take the lefthand path to Studley Roger
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
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
Continue to follow the drive up to the church and take the grass path on your left that is opposite the pedestrian entrance
Descend the hill, being careful to mind your footing and cross the car park towards the lake
At this stage, you can either explore Studley Royal Deer Park or follow the main path to return to the drive
From the drive, retrace your steps back through the village and along the same footpath you entered until you reach the intersection
At the intersection continue straight ahead, exiting the fields through a wooden gate
Cross the road and follow the path across the stone bridge to the mini roundabout
Continue straight ahead onto Studley Road until you reach a second mini roundabout
Cross the road and go straight ahead onto Park Street
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
WALK 4 - Riverside Ramble
Distance - 1.5 miles, 45 minutes walk
Parking: St Margate & Cathedral car park
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.
Starting outside Ripon Town Hall, face the obelisk and turn left before crossing the road to continue down Market Place West
Follow the pavement along, Market Place West and continue until you reach the Curzon cinema
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
Go through the passageway and continue until you reach a gateway into Temple Gardens
Bearing right, continue through Temple Gardens until you reach Allhallowgate
Upon entering Allhallowgate, turn left and proceed down the hill, passing the Workhouse Museum on your left
At the bottom of the hill, turn left onto Stonebridgegate and follow the pavement down past Aldi onto Magdalen’s Road
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
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
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
Follow the path under the bridge, keeping the River Ure on your left until you reach a large open field
Keeping right, walk along the path and immediately after passing some houses you will come to a second kissing gate
Go through the gate and turn left, onto Low Mill
Continue straight ahead and walk along Low Mill, passing Phoenix Business park on your right
At the end of the road, turn left, cross the footbridge and bear right to follow the riverside path
Continue to follow the path until you reach a set of concrete steps
Ascend the steps, turn right and follow the pavement up Bedern Bank until you reach the Cathedral
At this point, you can explore Ripon Cathedral or alternatively cross the Road to walk up Kirkgate to return to the Market Square
WALK 5 - Canal Walk
Distance - 1 mile, 30 minutes walk
Parking: St Margate & Cathedral car park
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.
Short Route: Starting outside Ripon Town Hall, turn right and continue down Market Square South
Take the right fork onto Duck hill
At the bottom of the hill, turn left onto Skellgarths and continue until you reach the roundabout
Upon reaching the roundabout, cross the road, continue straight ahead and cross the stone bridge over the River Skell
Once outside Ripon Bowling Club, cross the road and enter the canal basin through the gateway
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
Short Circuit Extension: Continue to follow the towpath, crossing a wooden footbridge over the entrance to Ripon Marina until you reach Nicholson’s Bridge
Cross over the bridge and follow the farm track until you reach an asphalt road
Turn right and follow the road back towards Ripon, keeping to the the right-hand side
At the end of the road, just before it bends sharp left, continue straight ahead and cross the bridge over the canal
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
Continue across the wooden footbridge onto Low St Agnesgate and upon reaching the Cathedral Church yard, turn left onto High St Agnesgate
Go through the gates into the churchyard and walk up the hill to reach the main doors of the Cathedral
Cross the road and walk up Kirkgate
Canal Walk Long Circuit Extension: For the more adventurous walker, follow the route up to point 7 but continue to follow the towpath
Continue to follow the towpath, passing the entrance to Ripon Wetlands on your left until you reach Renton’s Bridge
Cross over the bridge and bear right to follow the country lane
At the end of the lane, turn right and follow the road until you encounter a junction with Littlethorpe Church on your right
Turn right at the junction and follow the road, keeping to the right-hand side
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
Retrace your steps using points 1-6