Ripley Castle
North Yorkshire, England
Photo: Anthony Foster, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gallery: Paul Buckingham, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Dposte46, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Operator
- Ingilby family (Ripley Castle Estate)
- Condition
- Intact
- Access
- Limited tour days
- Nearest station
- Harrogate, 3.5 miles (straight-line)
- Note
- Guided tours; check current availability
Pinpoint
Ripley, Harrogate HG3 3AY
Telephone 01423 770152
Possible Opening Hours*
*Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| Monday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Thursday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Friday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Sunday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
A castle held by the same family, the Ingilbys, for over 700 years, with the interior only open via guided tour on selected days - reviewers who've had the same guide, Sylvia, more than once describe her as much a reason to visit as the house itself. The grounds run to deer, pheasants, and a small adventure playground, good for a few hours' walk beyond the tour.
At a glance
Worth the trip
The guided tour - reviewers name their guide directly and rate the personal, knowledgeable delivery above the building itself.
Before you go
Tours run on selected days only, so check current availability before travelling; the tearoom can mean a real wait for food on busy days, so it's worth planning around if you're hungry.
What visitors say
Ripley Castle reviews · 4.5 / 5 across 2,839 Google reviews
Reviewers consistently praise Ripley Castle's beautiful grounds and the knowledgeable, engaging guides - Sylvia is named directly by more than one reviewer as a highlight of their visit.
Several also enjoy the resident deer and wildlife around the park.
A recurring practical gripe is the tearoom, which multiple reviewers found closed earlier than expected (around 3pm) or had a long wait for food.
“Lovely place to visit. Tour guide was very informative giving detailed history of Ripley Castle and the Ingleby family that currently live there.”- Craig Ripley, visitor review
Within reach of Leeds (17 miles) - see what else is nearby.
Weddings at Ripley Castle
Ripley Castle is on our wedding roll because Ingilby family (Ripley Castle Estate) mentions weddings on their own site. Visit their site.
Comparing options? See every castle wedding venue in England, or the full UK wedding roll.
Dates, capacity, licensing and exclusivity change constantly and we hold none of it - treat this as a starting point and speak to the venue before you plan anything around it.
History
Sir Thomas Ingleby · 14th century
The Ingilby family acquired the Ripley estate in the early 14th century through marriage and built a gatehouse. The castle was extensively rebuilt and remodelled over centuries, particularly during the 18th century, and has remained in the same family for over 700 years.
Adapted from this castle's Wikipedia article, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Practical notes from visitors
Quoted from individual Google reviews, not verified with the operator - treat as a steer, not gospel, and check before you travel.
- Parking
- “There is parking, it's not expensive, you can pay by ticket machine or online.” - Kier Hamilton
- Guided tours
- “Sylvia, our guide for the morning, was very knowledgeable and it was lovely to see someone take such pride and pleasure in their work.” - Sam Benipal
- Facilities
- “Several people came up to the door and saw the sign....it seemed a shame that the tearoom closed so early....3pm is surely afternoon tea time.” - Phil Bevan
Common questions about Ripley Castle
Where is Ripley Castle?
Ripley Castle is in North Yorkshire, England, at Ripley, Harrogate HG3 3AY.
How do you visit Ripley Castle?
Ripley Castle opens on limited tour days rather than every day, and is looked after by Ingilby family (Ripley Castle Estate). Because the dates are restricted, check the official site and book ahead before travelling.
What is the highlight of visiting Ripley Castle?
The guided tour - reviewers name their guide directly and rate the personal, knowledgeable delivery above the building itself.
Is Ripley Castle a ruin or still intact?
Ripley Castle is largely intact - Guided tours; check current availability.
