Ripley Castle
Ripley Castle is a Grade I listed 14th-century country house in Ripley, North Yorkshire, 3 miles north of Harrogate HG3 3AY. The castle is steeped in history, set in beautiful Deer Park with lakes, Walled Gardens, Hot houses and a Kitchen Garden. The house is built of coursed squared gritstone and ashlar with grey slate and stone slate roofs. A central 2-storey block is flanked by a tower at one end and a 3-storey wing at the other. A gatehouse which stands some 260 feet to the south of the main buildings is also Grade I listed, whilst the two weirs over Ripley Beck are grade II listed and the grounds and gardens are also listed at grade II.
Ripley Castle has been the home of the Ingilby family for twenty-six generations and Sir Thomas and Lady Ingilby and their five children continue the tradition. The guided tours are amusing and informative, following the lives and loves of one family for nearly 700 years and how they have been affected by events in English history. The Old Tower dates from 1555 and houses splendid armour, books, panelling and a Priest's Secret Hiding Place, together with fine paintings, china, furnishings and chandeliers collected by the family over centuries.
The Walled Gardens have been transformed and are a colourful delight through every season. There are large herbaceous borders, a herb garden and shade garden, the restored Hot Houses have a fine collection of tropical plants and some fine landscaping in the millenium knot garden. All well worth a visit.
There is a lovely 45 minute circular walk around the lake and through the deer park. Some of the ancient oak trees in the park are believed to be over 1,000 year old. There are some beautiful views of the Castle from the lake. Keep an eye out for the Fallow deer which often come down to the lakeside for a drink.
Guided tours of the Ripley castle takes between 45 or 70 minutes and takes you through the principal rooms ending in the Knight's Chamber.
The Castle Tea room adjacent to the castle sells a good selection of hot and cold drinks and is fully licensed. It does a very good lunch time menu and has seating inside and on the patio area outside.
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