Dominated by its majestic cathedral, Ripon has much to offer visitors: the Cathedral with its 1300 year old crypt, the Yorkshire Law & Order Museums, craft markets, an International Music Festival, and Ripon Races; not to mention beautiful riverfront and canal walks. Along the River Skell, Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden are walkable, while Lightwater Valley Theme Park is a few miles away. Nearby are Norton Conyers and Newby Hall & Gardens. Ripon is a great base for seeing the Yorkshire Dales, North York Moors, Harrogate, Knaresborough, and York.
