Overview

Ripley Castle is situated in the heart of Ripley Village, it is accessible by car or public transport (number 36 bus running between Leeds and Ripon) and situated approximately 4 miles from Harrogate, North Yorkshire. In addition to the castle the visitor amenities in the village include a small general shop, tearooms, a pub and restaurant, the Church, a large car park on the outskirts of the village, a small art gallery and two gift shops all within a very pleasant and scenic setting. The village is level and has a mixture of tarmac and cobblestoned roads and pavements. Disabled parking spaces (x 3) can be found adjoining the tearooms (opposite the castle entrance) or next to the castle wall a few metres from the entrance (x 3). The terrain between these spaces and the entrance is level and either tarmac from the tearooms or cobbles from the castle wall – this section of parking also has access via a single lane, quiet road that runs adjacent to the cobbles. The castle is accessible through the gift shop which has a level, hard surface floor and suitable door widths for wheelchair access. The merchandise is set out to allow wide aisles between displays and the path through the shop to the castle entrance is not obstructed. The entrance to the castle is at the back of the shop where there is a disabled toilet with suitable circulation for a wheelchair user. A four-wheeled motorised scooter is available to reserve (recommended pre-booking) although motorised scooters are not allowed in the castle building, electric wheelchairs are permitted in the castle with prior advice. A manual wheelchair is available for use during the castle tour. The surface from the entrance to the castle and terrace is compacted gravel and although a hard surface would be easier this is manageable for wheelchair use. The gardens are largely accessible with a variety of hard surface paths, signposted, permanent ramps between the terrace and the gardens and double gates with a level threshold between the general grounds and the walled gardens. The deer park and lake walk is not advised for wheelchair users as the terrain is general parkland/grass fields, undulating and with stone steps leading back up to the terrace. There is no wheelchair access into the hothouses although wheelchair users are able to pass through the hothouse entrance to access the wooded areas of the grounds. The main entrance to the castle is ramped and fully accessible to wheelchair users, the tour consists of six rooms of which four are on the ground floor. There is no lift so visitors with limited mobility can watch a DVD that shows the tour information for the upstairs. Hearing loops are available and can be requested in advance, and visitors with visual impairment are encouraged to handle objects throughout the tour. The staff are all professional, helpful and welcoming.

Transport & Parking

The free public car park is situated 0.2 miles from the castle entrance, access is via level, tarmac pavement with some crossing of cobbled areas, this car park also contains a disabled toilet. There are two other areas nearer to the castle which contain disabled parking spaces both within a few metres of the entrance.

Access

Wheelchair accessibility to the majority of areas of the castle and gardens is good. Ramps and toilets are well signposted, areas of the grounds and gardens are also well signposted. A visitor map is given out with the tickets allowing an overview of the setting, castle tour times are displayed by the entrance. The castle tour is conducted with anecdotal evidence that is easy to listen to and encouragement is given to handling objects for visitors with visual impairment. There are a number of benches positioned around the terrace, grounds and walled gardens for visitors to enjoy the setting.

Toilets

The disabled toilet located in the entrance/gift shop is clean, well supplied and accessible. The doors to the rear of the shop which offer access to the rest of the attraction have to be negotiated as the toilet is located to the left, these doors can be held back to help with access. The toilet itself would allow room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre and includes enough space for a carer. There were other disabled toilets available in the main village car park, the castle, tearooms and the Boars Head, pub and restaurant in the village.

Staff

Friendly, cheerful, helpful and welcoming. Lots of information keenly shared and assistance available if necessary.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

I would highly recommend a visit to Ripley Castle and Gardens. It is an interesting, historic castle of a manageable size with an entertaining tour. The grounds and gardens are beautiful and can be explored at your leisure.

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