Enchante Ripley

This weekend we took a short 5 minute drive out of Harrogate to a little village called Ripley. The name Ripley derives from Old English and means "Wood of the Hrype" or "Ripon People". 

The village is part of the Ripley Castle estate and between 1827 and 1854 the village was torn down in the style of Alsace that Sir William Amcotts-Ingilby had seen and fallen in love with while travelling. 

As soon as you swing down into the village from Killinghall you are met with a very medieval-feeling, provincial village which instantly takes you right back in time.

The perfect ride out for the whole family, the village boasts free parking, a highly acclaimed pub - The Boar's Head, a wonderful array of shops including the Fizzy Fox, butchers, post office and estate café where you can reach for a Brymore ice cream and to-die-for hot chocolate. 

Also home to family run small batch distillery, Harrogate Tipple!

All perfect fodder for your walk around the estate - around 5 miles, you'll see a beautiful historical bridge, water fall, stream, cows, sheep and a beautiful herd of deer.

This is one of the things we love about our spa town is we are so beautifully positioned to experience the English utopia.