RIPLEY CASTLE and GARDENSRipley Castle, the gardens and the village are an attraction not to be missed. In 2006 the castle won “The Visitor Attraction of the Year” award and the gardens won “Yorkshire in Bloom”.
The castle is steeped in history, in 2009 the Ingilby's will have resided at Ripley Castle for 700 years.
The guided tours take you around the 16th and 18th century parts of the castle and include many fascinating objects including some of the Civil war arms and armour used in the Battle of Marston Moor, and a hiding hole made for the catholic priest Francis Ingilby in 1586 (and only discovered in 1964 as it was so well hidden). The castle is full of personal interest stories, some connected to the 1605 gunpowder plot and the family fortunes in the Civil war, for example when Royalist trooper Jane Ingilby held Oliver Cromwell at pistol point in the Castle library.
The gardens can be enjoyed in all seasons with the walk around the lake with the lovely views of the deer park being a particular joy. In the early part of the year, thousands of snowdrops, primroses, aconites, daffodils and narcissi come to life in a blaze of colour, to wash away those winter blues. In April/May the English national hyacinth collection comes into bloom then bluebells, rhododendrons and other flowering shrubs continue the colourful displays.
Try and make time for an exploration of the shops, art gallery and tea rooms in the surrounding conservation village and indulge in the famous Ripley ice cream or sit for a while in the beer garden of the Boar’s head hotel for a relaxing meal and drink.
For more information and special events visit www.ripleycastle.co.uk Tele 01423 771745.
