Ripley Castle

Ripley Castle was announced the winner of the prestigious White Rose Awards 2006 for Best Visitor Attraction of the Year 2006 at an Awards Ceremony held at the Magna Science Adventure Centre on Tuesday 19th September.

BBC Look North broadcasters and media personalities Harry Gration and Christa Ackroyd announced the awards: presentations were made by David Andrews, Chief Executive of the Yorkshire Tourist Board.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled”, said Sir Thomas Ingilby whose family have lived in the castle for nearly 700 years. “Ripley Castle has been open to the public for the past twenty five years. When it originally opened its doors it was for limited periods only but is now open all year round and one of the very few historic properties in Yorkshire to do so. The staff here at Ripley all work incredibly hard to ensure that visitors to the Castle have a most enjoyable time during their visit and a big thank you must go to our dedicated team of castle guides, gardeners, and staff in the gift shop and tea rooms for their part in helping us win this prestigious award.”

Ripley Castle Gardens have also been given a Gold Award in the 2006 Yorkshire in Bloom contest in the Country Houses, Estates & Gardens Category. The Judges commented “What a welcoming array of high quality containers filled with floral displays on the entrance to the Castle. A surprisingly large area of formal grounds which are all very well maintained.”

They were impressed by the quality of the maintenance and number of planters and displays; the wide range of plant material; the white and purple wedding area; new buildings blending well with the old; the areas near the tearooms and car park; staff commitment and long service; and the cleanliness of the whole site.

Special Tours for Children

Ripley Castle introduced “Special Tours for Children” during the school summer holidays. There are some fascinating stories to be told about this 700 year old castle and its inhabitants over the years and the Castle’s experienced guides have tailor-made them to specifically interest the children.

They are geared for children between the ages of 5 and 13 years who must be accompanied by an adult. The children will be introduced to 26 generations of Ingilby family history which includes a wild boar hunt which nearly killed King Edward III, religious persecution, the Gunpowder Plot, Oliver Cromwell being kept at gunpoint in the Library, family tragedies and all about eccentric ancestors and even ghost stories.

The tours are informative and amusing so do bring your children along this summer - they will be enthralled.  The 2006 tours proved very popular with young and old alike.

Ripley Castle is now open daily from Easter to the end of October, and Tues, Thurs, Sat & Sun  in November, February & March and weekends only in December and January.

Telephone 01423 770152