Ripley Castle

The history of Ripley Castle is closely tied to that of the Ingilby family, who have owned the estate since the 14th century. The first Sir Thomas Ingilby is said to have saved the life of King Edward III by killing a wild boar during a hunting expedition. The king rewarded him with a knighthood and a boar’s head was adopted as part of the family crest, a symbol still visible throughout the property.

The original house was built around 1320 as a fortified manor. Its position near the River Nidd gave it both practical and defensive advantages. Over the centuries, the house was extended and remodelled to suit changing tastes and requirements. The most significant alterations occurred in the 16th and 18th centuries, when older defensive features were replaced with more comfortable domestic spaces.

Ripley Castle has played a small but notable role in several historic events. During the English Civil War, the Ingilbys supported the Royalist cause, leading to the temporary capture of the house by Parliamentarian forces. In later years, the estate adapted to agricultural and social changes, with parts of the surrounding village rebuilt in the early 1800s under the direction of Sir William Amcotts-Ingilby. He created a planned estate village modelled on continental examples, complete with cobbled streets and uniform stone cottages.

Today, Ripley Castle is both a family home and a heritage attraction. The Ingilbys continue to manage the property, which serves as a record of English country life through centuries of political, architectural and social change. The castle’s continuity of ownership gives it an unbroken historical narrative rarely found among similar estates.

What to see at Ripley Castle

Visitors to Ripley Castle can explore both the historic interiors and the surrounding parkland. Guided tours of the castle take visitors through a series of furnished rooms, many of which retain features from different centuries. The main hall displays portraits, furniture and objects associated with the Ingilby family, including armour, hunting trophies and family heirlooms. The library, drawing rooms and bedrooms illustrate the evolution of domestic life in an English country house.

The oldest part of the building, the medieval tower, survives as part of the main structure. Its thick walls and narrow windows contrast with the lighter Georgian additions that form much of the rest of the house. The guided tour often includes stories about notable family members, such as Francis Ingilby, a Catholic priest executed during the reign of Elizabeth I, who was later beatified.

The castle grounds cover several hundred acres and include gardens, woodland and lakeside walks. The walled garden contains formal beds, herbaceous borders and a restored glasshouse. Beyond the gardens, paths lead around the ornamental lake, which supports wildlife including swans, ducks and herons. The parkland is dotted with mature trees and offers views towards the village and the distant moors.

The estate village of Ripley is also worth exploring. Many of its buildings date from the early 19th century, when it was redesigned as a model village. The layout, with its central market square, church and stone cottages, reflects a period when estate owners sought to create planned, orderly settlements for their tenants and workers. The village also contains a small collection of independent shops, a café and a traditional pub that once formed part of the estate’s operations.

For those interested in local history, the church of All Saints, adjacent to the castle, contains memorials to generations of the Ingilby family. The combination of castle, gardens and village provides a compact but varied experience, offering insights into both aristocratic and rural life in Yorkshire.

Visiting Ripley Castle

Ripley Castle is in the village of Ripley, about 6.5km (4 miles) north of Harrogate on the A61. The drive from central Harrogate takes around ten minutes and it is also easy to get there by bus with bus 36 stopping in the village en route between Harrogate and Ripon.

The Ripley Castle estate is currently on the market, and guided tours are not operating and there is also no visitor access to the castle during this time. However, visitors still have access to the gardens and grounds during this period.

Visitor facilities include a coffee shop, a tearoom, a gift shop and toilets. The tearoom serves light meals, cakes and refreshments, often using locally sourced produce. The shop stocks items related to the estate and the surrounding area, including books, preserves and local crafts. There are several places to eat and drink in the village.

The grounds are generally accessible to visitors with disabilities, with gravel paths and flat terrain suitable for most visitors. However, some interior areas of the house have stairs and uneven floors due to their historic nature. Assistance dogs are welcome, and staff are available to advise on accessibility and guided tour arrangements.

Allow 2–3 hours to visit Ripley Castle, including spending some time in the village.