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4- and 5-star hotels in Ripon
A shortlist of the 4- and 5-star hotels, inns and cottages around Ripon, England's smallest cathedral city. It is for couples, families and short-break visitors who want a quiet base for the cathedral, Fountains Abbey and the Dales, with a car or the 36 bus to Harrogate.
Staying in Ripon
Ripon is a small, unhurried city of about 17,000 people with a cathedral whose crypt was built in 672 and a hornblower who sounds the watch at 9pm in the Market Place every night. The square has a 90-foot obelisk and Thursday market stalls; by 9pm most of it is finishing dinner and the pubs on Kirkgate and North Street carry the evening until last orders around 11. Ripon Cathedral on Minster Road is free to enter, and the restored canal off Bondgate Green gives a flat two-mile towpath walk with herons and narrowboats.
The hotels on this shortlist sit in two rings. In the city itself are The Ripon Inn on Park Street, The Royal Oak on Kirkgate and a one-bedroom apartment in Ripon centre. The rest are in the villages and countryside around it: Grantley, where Grantley Hall and Sally's Barn stand; Aldfield near Fountains Abbey, with Mallard Grange; North Stainley; Wath; Sawley; Markington; Mill Lane near Harrogate; and The Inn South Stainley on Ripon Road. That mix suits couples who want a spa or a quiet inn, families who need room to spread out, and business or short-break visitors who want to be in the centre and walk to dinner. Note that Ripon has had no railway station since 1967.
The shortlist
Ranked by hotel class, then guest rating and number of reviews.
Grantley Hall
Grantley, Ripon, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa
- Indoor pool
- Spa
- Free car parking
Why stay hereA 5-star country house at Grantley, Grantley Hall suits guests who want a full resort rather than a simple room. An indoor pool, an outdoor pool and a spa with steam room cover the wet Yorkshire days, while the restaurant, bars and terrace handle the evenings. Free parking and free wifi remove the small daily frictions. With 620 reviews averaging 4.8 out of 5, it draws couples marking an occasion and anyone pairing Ripon with Fountains Abbey.
See Grantley HallMallard Grange
Aldfield Near Fountains Abbeyriponnorth Yorkshire Hg4 3Be, Ripon, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers
- Free car parking
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereMallard Grange sits at Aldfield, close to Fountains Abbey, and is set up for guests touring the estate and the surrounding countryside. Rooms come with bathrobes, toiletries and wifi, and there is a garden and picnic area for slow afternoons. Golfers have a course within reach, and free parking makes arriving by car straightforward. Its 5-star class and quiet rural address appeal to couples and walkers who want a base away from the town centre.
See Mallard GrangeThe Old Coach House
North Stainley, Ripon, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Travelling with pets
- Free car parking
- Pets allowed
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereThe Old Coach House in North Stainley is a 5-star stay that welcomes pets, which makes it a practical pick for guests travelling with a dog. Rooms are carpeted and equipped with bathrobes, slippers and toiletries, and wifi is free throughout. A garden, picnic area and lake sit on site, and free parking is available. Couples and small groups wanting space and quiet, with Ripon and the surrounding dales within easy driving reach.
See The Old Coach HouseSally's Barn
Town End Farm Grantley, Ripon, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers
- Free car parking
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereSally's Barn at Town End Farm in Grantley is a compact 5-star option with a short list of facilities: free wifi, free parking, a garden and non-smoking rooms. It suits guests who want a simple, self-contained base in the countryside rather than a serviced hotel, and who will spend their days out in the surrounding landscape. Best for couples or solo travellers with a car who value quiet over on-site dining and leisure.
See Sally's BarnThe Farmhouse Kitchen
St. Marys Farmhouse Wath, Ripon, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers
- Parking
- Kitchen
Why stay hereThe Farmhouse Kitchen at St. Marys Farmhouse in Wath is a 5-star farmhouse stay built around a full kitchen, with oven, microwave, dishwasher, refrigerator and toaster. That makes it a natural fit for families and groups who plan to cook rather than eat out every night. There is a garden, parking and non-smoking rooms, and fishing and golf are nearby. A good choice for longer stays in the Ripon area.
See The Farmhouse KitchenStunning 1 Bed Apt in Ripon centre FREE PARKING Yorkshire Accommodates
Hg41bn, Ripon, United Kingdom
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Free car parking
- Family rooms
- Kitchen
Why stay hereThis 1-bedroom apartment in Ripon centre is a 5-star self-catering option with free parking, a rare combination at this address. A kitchen with oven, microwave, dishwasher and washing machine supports longer stays, and the apartment adds a balcony and terrace. Wifi, housekeeping and laundry service are provided, along with family rooms and a concierge. It suits couples or small families who want to walk into Ripon rather than drive.
See Stunning 1 Bed Apt in Ripon centre FREE PARKING Yorkshire AccommodatesThe George Country Inn Wath
Main Street, Wath Upon Dearne, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers
- Free car parking
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereThe George Country Inn Wath is a 4-star village inn with a bar and restaurant on site, so guests can eat and drink without going out again. Bedrooms are carpeted and come with toiletries, towels and wifi, and parking is free. It works well for couples and small groups touring the area by car who want a traditional pub base. Rated 4.8 out of 5 across 102 reviews.
See The George Country Inn WathThe Ripon Inn The Inn Collection Group
Park Street, Ripon, United Kingdom
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Free car parking
- Pets allowed
- Family rooms
Why stay hereThe Ripon Inn, part of The Inn Collection Group, puts guests on Park Street in Ripon itself, with bars, a restaurant and a garden on site. Family rooms, lifts and wheelchair access make it one of the easier choices for mixed-age groups, and pets are allowed. Desks, coffee and wifi in the rooms suit people combining work with a few days away. It has 237 reviews and a guest rating of 4.2 out of 5.
See The Ripon Inn The Inn Collection GroupThe Moorhouse
Moorhouse Cottage Bewerley Harrogate Hg3 5Jf United Kingdom Ripon, Ripon, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Breakfast
- Free car parking
- Breakfast
- Bar/Lounge
Why stay hereThe Moorhouse at Bewerley is a small 4-star country house with a restaurant, bar and lounge, plus a garden, terrace and picnic area. Breakfast is available, parking and wifi are free, and the property is wheelchair accessible. Its handful of reviews average 4.8 out of 5, so it appeals to guests who prefer a quiet, personal stay over a large hotel. Best for couples exploring the Nidderdale side of Ripon.
See The MoorhouseThe Inn South Stainley
Ripon Road South Stainley, Harrogate, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Breakfast
- Free car parking
- Breakfast
- Lounge
Why stay hereThe Inn South Stainley on Ripon Road is a 4-star inn with a restaurant, bar, lounge and banquet facilities, and it serves breakfast and dinner. Rooms include bathrobes, slippers and desks, with wifi and parking free of charge. Pets are welcome, and there is a garden, patio and picnic area. A single review gives it 5.0 out of 5; it suits couples and small parties wanting a countryside stop with food on site.
See The Inn South StainleyThe Royal Oak Ripon
36 Kirkgate, Ripon, United Kingdom
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereThe Royal Oak Ripon stands on Kirkgate in the town, a 4-star pub with a bar and garden and no need for a car in the evening. Rooms come with toiletries, towels, a hairdryer and wifi, plus an iron and board for longer trips. It is a straightforward fit for couples and solo travellers who want to be among Ripon's streets and walk back after dinner rather than drive.
See The Royal Oak RiponThe Sawley Arms
Sawley, Ripon, United Kingdom
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Free car parking
- Family rooms
- Kitchen
Why stay hereThe Sawley Arms in Sawley is a 4-star inn with a restaurant, bars and a terrace, plus banquet facilities for gatherings. Family rooms are available, and bedrooms include bathrobes, coffee, a desk and wifi. A kitchen with oven, refrigerator and toaster appears among the facilities, and parking is free. It suits couples and families touring the area who want dinner waiting at the end of the day.
See The Sawley ArmsWallerthwaite Barn Cottage
Wallerthwaite Barn Markington, Harrogate, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers
- Free car parking
- Kitchen
Why stay hereWallerthwaite Barn Cottage at Markington is a 4-star self-catering cottage with a kitchen, oven, microwave, refrigerator and washing machine, plus a full bathroom. Parking is free and rooms are non-smoking. There is no restaurant or bar, so it is aimed at guests who want to cook and settle in rather than be looked after. A good match for couples or small families on a longer countryside stay near Ripon.
See Wallerthwaite Barn CottageCrow House Barn
Crow House Barn Mill Lane, Harrogate, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Travelling with pets
- Free car parking
- Pets allowed
- Kitchen
Why stay hereCrow House Barn on Mill Lane is a 4-star barn conversion with a kitchen, oven, fireplace and patio, and it welcomes pets. A cot and high chairs are provided, along with a sofa bed, which makes it workable for families with young children. There is a garden, picnic area and terrace, plus a tennis court, and a beach is nearby. Parking and wifi are free. Better for groups wanting space than for a one-night stop.
See Crow House BarnThe Bothy
Ripon North Yorkshire Hg4 Uk, Ripon, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers
- Free car parking
- Kitchen
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereThe Bothy in Ripon is a 4-star self-catering property with a kitchen, dishwasher, washing machine and fireplace, plus a garage as well as free parking. Wifi is free, rooms are non-smoking, and towels are provided. With no restaurant or bar, it suits guests who want their own space and a base for days out around Ripon and the surrounding countryside. Best for couples or small families travelling by car.
See The Bothy
The shortlist side by side
| Hotel | Class | Parking | Breakfast | Pets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grantley Hall | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | – |
| Mallard Grange | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | – |
| The Old Coach House | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | Yes |
| Sally's Barn | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | – |
| The Farmhouse Kitchen | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | – |
| Stunning 1 Bed Apt in Ripon centre FREE PARKING Yorkshire Accommodates | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | – |
| The George Country Inn Wath | ★★★★ | Yes | – | – |
| The Ripon Inn The Inn Collection Group | ★★★★ | Yes | – | Yes |
| The Moorhouse | ★★★★ | Yes | Yes | – |
| The Inn South Stainley | ★★★★ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| The Royal Oak Ripon | ★★★★ | – | – | – |
| The Sawley Arms | ★★★★ | Yes | – | – |
| Wallerthwaite Barn Cottage | ★★★★ | Yes | – | – |
| Crow House Barn | ★★★★ | Yes | – | Yes |
| The Bothy | ★★★★ | Yes | – | – |
From each hotel's own listing on this site; a dash means it is not listed.
How to choose
For spa and leisure
Grantley Hall is the only hotel here with a spa, indoor and outdoor pools, a health club and steam room, plus a restaurant and 24-hour front desk, and it holds the top guest rating of 4.8 from 620 reviews. The one-bedroom apartment in Ripon centre has massage and a terrace, and puts you within walking distance of the Market Place.
Grantley Hall · Stunning 1 Bed Apt in Ripon centre FREE PARKING Yorkshire Accommodates
For families
The Ripon Inn has family rooms, a sofa bed, lifts and a restaurant, so everyone can eat downstairs without driving. The Sawley Arms and Crow House Barn both list family rooms, and Crow House Barn adds a cot, high chairs, a tennis court and a kitchen, which suits a longer self-catering stay with children.
The Ripon Inn The Inn Collection Group · The Sawley Arms · Crow House Barn
With dogs
Four places accept pets: The Old Coach House in North Stainley, The Ripon Inn on Park Street, The Inn South Stainley on Ripon Road and Crow House Barn. All four also have a garden or picnic area, so a dog has somewhere to go the moment you arrive, and all except Crow House Barn have parking listed.
The Old Coach House · The Ripon Inn The Inn Collection Group · The Inn South Stainley · Crow House Barn
In the centre
The Market Place and cathedral are on foot.
Stunning 1 Bed Apt in Ripon centre FREE PARKING Yorkshire Accommodates · The Ripon Inn The Inn Collection Group · The Royal Oak Ripon
Where to stay in Ripon
Grantley
A village west of the city, where Grantley Hall stands with its spa, pools and health club, and Sally's Barn offers a simple five-star cottage with free wifi and parking. This is countryside rather than city: a quiet base for the cathedral and Fountains Abbey if you have a car.
Our picks here: Grantley Hall · Sally's Barn
Aldfield
Aldfield is named in the address of Mallard Grange, and the site describes Fountains Abbey as four miles down the road from Ripon. Expect a rural stay with a garden, golf course and free parking, and treat the abbey and the city as short drives rather than walks.
Our picks here: Mallard Grange
North Stainley
The Old Coach House sits in North Stainley, a village north of Ripon on the way towards the Dales. It is a five-star cottage-style stay with a garden, lake and free parking, and it is one of the few places on this list that accepts pets, which makes it a straightforward choice for a country break with a dog.
Our picks here: The Old Coach House
Wath
Wath lies north of Ripon, and both The Farmhouse Kitchen at St Marys Farmhouse and The George Country Inn Wath are here. The Farmhouse Kitchen is a self-catering house with a kitchen, oven and dishwasher, while The George has a bar and restaurant, free parking and a guest rating of 4.8 from 102 reviews. Driving is the practical way to reach either.
Our picks here: The Farmhouse Kitchen · The George Country Inn Wath
Plan your stay
Getting there and around
Ripon has no railway station; the line closed in 1967. Your options are the 36 bus to Harrogate, a taxi to Thirsk or Northallerton on the East Coast Main Line, or a car. Travelling without a car works, because the 36 is frequent and comfortable, but it adds 35 minutes to every arrival and departure, so understand that before you book. With a car it is one of the better-placed towns in the county: 20 minutes from Harrogate, 40 from York, 20 from Masham, 25 from Pateley Bridge, 35 from Leyburn and about an hour from Hawes for Nidderdale and Wensleydale.
When to go
The site's own descriptions are written around the evening: the horn is sounded at 9pm at the obelisk and again at the mayor's house, 365 nights a year, and there is no ticket or seating. April to October is the mildest window for the cathedral, the canal towpath and Fountains Abbey four miles away, while winter gives you the same short days and early nights but a much quieter Market Place.
Things to do near Ripon
- A Car-Free Ghost Trail Through Ripon
- Autumn Eating for Two in Ripon and Whitby: Pubs, Tasting Menus and Harbour Cafes
- Spa towns and market towns: a three-day route from Harrogate to Masham
- Masham vs Ripon: Which Yorkshire Town Should You Book?
- October 2026 in Ripon and Whitby: Couples' Events, Timing and Where to Base Yourselves
- Ripon area guide: where to stay for Fountains Abbey and the cathedral
- Ripon Cathedral Concerts, Spa Gardens and Canal Walks: Where to Stay in North Yorkshire
- Ripon's Cathedral Quarter: A Self-Guided Half-Day Walk
Questions, answered
Which hotels in Ripon have parking?
Free car parking is listed at Grantley Hall, Mallard Grange, The Old Coach House, Sally's Barn and The Ripon Inn, among others. The Farmhouse Kitchen, The George Country Inn Wath and the Ripon centre apartment also list parking, and The Bothy adds a garage.
Which hotels are best for families?
The Ripon Inn has family rooms, a sofa bed, a restaurant, lifts and free parking. The Sawley Arms and Crow House Barn also list family rooms, and Crow House Barn adds a cot, high chairs, a tennis court and a kitchen, which works well for a self-catering family stay.
Are there dog friendly hotels near Ripon?
Pets are allowed at The Old Coach House in North Stainley, The Ripon Inn on Park Street, The Inn South Stainley on Ripon Road and Crow House Barn. Each of those also lists a garden or picnic area, so there is somewhere for the dog as soon as you arrive.
Which is the top-rated hotel on this shortlist?
Grantley Hall holds the highest guest rating, 4.8 out of 5 from 620 reviews, and it is the only one here with a spa, indoor and outdoor pools, a health club and steam room. The George Country Inn Wath also scores 4.8, from 102 reviews.
Do any Ripon hotels have a pool or spa?
Grantley Hall is the one with a spa, indoor pool, outdoor pool, health club and steam room. The Ripon centre apartment lists massage, and a few of the inns list a garden or picnic area instead. No other hotel on this shortlist lists a pool or spa.
Is there somewhere to stay with a kitchen?
Yes. The Farmhouse Kitchen in Wath and Crow House Barn both list a kitchen with an oven, and the Ripon centre apartment and The Bothy add a dishwasher. The Sawley Arms also lists a kitchen. These suit longer stays where you want to cook rather than eat out.