Ripon Cathedral

When you visit Ripon Cathedral you will experience a great sense of peace within this sacred space as well as being thrilled by this glorious building sanctified by centuries of prayer.

Here you will find a beautiful church with a history reaching back to the 7th Century.
Within its hallowed walls can be found the inspiration for both WW1 poet Wilfred Owen and author Lewis Carroll. Carvings in the quire are thought to be the basis of Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland.
Its remarkable Anglo-Saxon crypt is the oldest part of any English cathedral and is a replica of the empty tomb of the risen Christ. In the quire you will find Comper’s altar screen, part of the city’s unusual WW1 memorial, as well as fossils in the floor and angels on high.
We enjoy welcoming both pilgrims and tourists; find out about our founder St Wilfrid (a fascinating tale…) take a themed trail (available in various languages) and tread in the footsteps of saints and pilgrims across 13 centuries.
There are children’s trails, stories to capture the imagination and intriguing spaces to explore – not least the subterranean passages to the crypt. The cathedral offers a great morning or afternoon visit for families come rain or shine!
The renowned 7th century Ripon Jewel and the collection of silver in the cathedral’s library are not to missed.
Step inside the cool stone precincts of this ancient building and find calm and tranquility; light a candle, say a prayer, stay on for choral evensong, the most beautiful service sung by our acclaimed choir.
Visit the cathedral shop to buy a gift or memento; you will find locally sourced products including foodstuffs, beers and gins!
Ripon Cathedral is home for the cathedra (throne) of the Bishop of Leeds and a community of Christians, motivated by God’s love and a desire to reach out in service to the wider community.

Architecture, heritage, craftsmanship and a sense of wonder at God’s grandeur – all set in the historic gateway city to the Dales – where tea shops and eateries abound!

We look forward to welcoming you… what will you discover?

Ripon Cathedral – open daily 8.30am – 6.15pm (Sundays to 5pm). Entrance is free.

Invite from the Very Revd John Dobson DL, Dean of Ripon

This is the national Year of Pilgrimage. Some of our great cathedrals are keeping significant commemorations, not least Canterbury with the 850th anniversary of Archbishop Thomas Becket’s murder in the cathedral by order of King Henry II. We at Ripon, fortunate enough to have the Anglo-Saxon crypt, the oldest built fabric of all England’s cathedrals, are keen to play our part.

Here we keep 2020 as the year of Pilgrimage to Peace. Supporting the national theme, our packed programme includes the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the ending of the Second World War and acknowledges the need in our country and world for reconciliation and peace where, all too often, the lives of God’s children and creation are spoilt by tensions, divisions and conflict.

In mediaeval times, Ripon, like many other cathedrals, was a centre of pilgrimage. There was a natural human desire to go in search of those things that could enable people to reach a deeper, truer reality. The motivation for much pilgrimage, and many other human pursuits, is no different today.

Whatever your reason for visiting Ripon Cathedral, I invite you to enjoy this wonderful building and all its community offers. See our website, www.riponcathedral.org.uk for more details of special events throughout the year.