01765 690799
[email protected]Our mission is to enrich the lives of all who experience and are inspired by our historic law & order sites and collections so that they gain insights into, and are provoked into thinking about, how the treatment of offenders and the relief of the poor have developed over the last 200 years. We will be a model of the ways in which the past is used to create a deeper, more compassionate and more equitable society. We also want to enhance substantially Ripon’s sense of place and to improve the well-being of our volunteers and our local community.
Our Vision is to be the most engaging and admired small museum in the country delivering our mission with pride and integrity.
The RIPON CIVIC SOCIETY from its inception in 1968 had been concerned at the lack of museum coverage in the City which has resulted from the closure of the City Museum at Thorpe Prebend House in 1956. This was to be made worse by the closure of the Wakeman’s House Museum in 1987. The Society had continued to press the Local Authorities to provide premises for another museum.
In 1981 the Old Liberty Prison (built in 1816) became vacant and it was decided to set up the Ripon Museum Trust with the intention of opening up the Ripon Prison and Police Museum there. Ripon Museum Trust was granted chartable status in 1982.
Whether you’re coming from far away or a town nearby, use our journey planner to find the best route!
Opening times, prices, access information – everything you need to make the most of your visit
Maps, directions and opening times, plus other things to do in Ripon
Support our charity for free when you shop online at thousands of stores using Give as you Live.