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Ripon Minster Close

2 ha

Plan your visit

BirdsWildlifeForaging
Free entryDogs welcome2 ha

Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • 🐦96+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Woodpigeon and Magpie
  • 🌿Foraging is at its best in summer here
  • Cathedral View Cafe — a good base for a longer summer day out

Good to know

  • £Free to visit — no entry charge
  • 🐕Dogs welcome
CaféParking· PaidPlaygroundToilets

Best for

7 activities

Bird watching

Birds — Woodpigeon, Magpie, Robin +93 more · last seen 2026

Free

Wildlife

Birds — Woodpigeon, Magpie, Robin +93 more · last seen 2026; Traditional orchard priority habitat

Free

Foraging

Traditional orchard — seasonal fruit, fungi and wild plants

Varies

Heritage

Historic site; Grade I listed building nearby: RIPON MINSTER (CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF ST PETER AND WILFRID)

Free

Insect spotting

Traditional orchard — specialist orchard insects and lichens; Insects — 7-spot Ladybird, Cream-spot Ladybird, Hawthorn Shieldbug +7 more · last seen 2026

Free

Easy access

parking, toilets

Varies

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

16 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Ripon Sanctuary WayWalking route16 km
Named routeLength 16 kmPoint-to-pointLocal walking route
Aislabie WalkWalking route27 km

Circular route between Studley Royal and Hackfall woods

Named routeLength 27 kmRound tripLocal walking route
Short Powered Mobility Vehicle Route, Fountains AbbeyWalking route

5 mobility scooters & 4 wheelchairs are available to hire, free of charge, at NT's Fountains Abbey. Book in advance on 01765 608888 and collect your mobility scooter or wheelchair from the West Gate entrance between 10.30am and 11.30am.

Named routeRound tripLocal walking route
The Seven Bridges Valley Walk, Fountains AbbeyWalking route6.1 km

Take this circular walk to see a more rustic & beautiful side of the estate. Starting at the Lake outfall, this walk follows the meandering Skell river along the steep-sided valley via a series of delightful arched bridges, of which only five remain.

Named routeLength 6.1 kmDuration 01:30-02:00Round tripLocal walking route
Studley Royal Deer Park Walk, Fountains AbbeyWalking route4.8 km

Our deer ranger has picked this circular walk as one of his favourites within the Studley Royal deer park. Look out for some of the 300 wild deer that live there. Mostly flat parkland, some uneven ground, with height drops & deep running water.

Named routeLength 4.8 kmDuration 01:00Round tripLocal walking route
🚴

Cycling

41 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Route 67Cycling route
Named routeRef 67National Cycle Network
NCN Cycle Route 688Cycling route
Named routeRef 688National Cycle Network
National Byway (Yorkshire)Cycling route
Named routeRef NBRegional cycle route
National Byway (Ripon Loop)Cycling route
Named routeRef NBRegional cycle route
Way of the Roses Cycle RouteCycling route
Named routeRef WoRNational Cycle Network
Main RouteCycling route27 m
Named routeRef 688Length 27 mNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt

Wildlife to spot

Photos

The Old Deanery , Minster Road, Ripon

The Old Deanery , Minster Road, Ripon

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