Ripon

Ripon City was founded over 1300 years ago, and boasts a wealth of cultural heritage including a magnificent 7th century Cathedral, quaint medieval streets filled with fascinating shops and tearooms, a fine Georgian market place and a Victorian bandstand set in the picturesque Spa Gardens.

There are three unusual museums in the city and several fine historic houses in the surrounding Yorkshire Dales countryside. Fountains Abbey, an outstanding world heritage site, is also located nearby.

There is a delightful market square with its 300 year-old obelisk and plays host to a market every Thursday. There's an annual events calendar with several wellknown festivals, and regular musical events held at the Cathedral and other venues.