Ripon

Ripon has a special place as England’s oldest and third smallest city. It’s a firm favourite with visitors meaning that it’s a pretty special place to live too. There’s everything to like about moving to a new home here. It’s a fantastic hometown for your new home, and with the North York Moors to one side and the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Yorkshire Dales on the other, it’s in a great location in North Yorkshire too. Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Park – proud holders of UNESCO World Heritage status – complete the eminent list of local landmarks on the doorstep.

Living in Ripon

Living here

Ripon is a delight of a city to call home. As well as the cultural heritage of the cathedral, it’s got lovely shops, a weekly market in the classic Market Square, cafés and restaurants, parks and riverside walks. For your weekly shop, there are several mainstream supermarkets to choose from.

Getting around

The A1(M) is the key route here. It’s a great communication link between Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Doncaster, taking in Leeds, Durham and Sunderland on its way, and will serve you well for business and pleasure. Ripon itself is on the A61 which links Harrogate, 10 miles to the south, with Thirsk, 12 miles to the northeast. You can head for the hills from Ripon along a network of B roads and you’ll quickly be in the most beautiful and unspoilt countryside. There’s no longer a train station but you can pick up mainline services from Harrogate, 10 miles to the south, or York, and there’s a direct service between the two. It’s only 23 miles to Leeds Bradford Airport.

Going to school

As well as a good range of primary schools, the city’s Outwood Academy takes children from 11 – 16 years. Ripon Grammar School is a highly regarded co-educational selective grammar school. Harrogate College offers courses and apprenticeships from 16 – 18 years.

Enjoying yourself

The town caters for its residents as well as for its visitors, with pubs and restaurants, and leisure and sports facilities, including a marina on the Ripon Canal and a racecourse. For a special day out with the kids, try the Lightwater Valley Theme Park to the north of Ripon. Nothing beats a day in the great outdoors and with Fountains Abbey and Studley Park close by, family walks in the countryside couldn’t be easier.