Where to find
Ripon museums
All three of our museums are located in the centre of Ripon, in North Yorkshire. It is about five minutes’ walk between museums.
If you’re planning to visit all three museums, we suggest starting with the Workhouse Museum on Allhallowgate.
Workhouse Museum, Sharow View, Allhallowgate, Ripon, HG4 1LE
Prison & Police Museum, St Marygate, Ripon, HG4 1LX (opposite St Marygate car park)
Courthouse Museum, Minster Road, Ripon, HG4 1QS (opposite Ripon Cathedral, or behind Sainsbury’s)
Museum map
Our three museums are within a 5 minute walk of each other. The route is along paved roads with minimal road crossings.
It is worth looking at the opening times of the museums when you are planning your visit as the Workhouse and Prison & Police museums open at 10am whilst the Courthouse opens at 1pm.
Your ticket allows you to come and go as many times as you’d like over 12 months so if you don’t manage to see everything in one day you can come back another time.
Arriving by public transport
If you are using public transport then we are only a five minute walk from the Ripon bus station which is served throughout the day by buses from York, Leeds and Harrogate.
It is worth noting Ripon does not have a railway station. The closest train stations are in Harrogate, Thirsk or York.
By bus
The popular ‘36’ will run every 30 mins between Harrogate & Ripon, and every 15 mins between Harrogate & Leeds. Phone 01423 566061 or www.the36.co.uk for further information.
The ‘Ripon Roweller’ local bus service provides a link from the outlying villages into Ripon bus station via the 138, 138A and 139 services. See timetable
By boat
Ripon is one of the most northerly points on the English canal system. From the River Ouse navigate the River Ure to join the Ripon Canal at Oxclose Lock.
Getting to Ripon
We encourage our visitors to use active transport (walking and cycling) or public transport to travel to our museums. This benefits the environment and reduces our emissions.
We understand however that this is not always possible, so if you are travelling to Ripon by car the following details will help you plan your journey.
By road
- From Newcastle and the North – follow the A1(M) south to Junction 50 then take the A61 (about 70 mins from Newcastle). Alternatively, take the A19 south and A168 to exit 49 then take the A6108 / Sharow Lane (about 45 minutes from Teesside)
- From Leeds and the South – follow the A1(M) north to Junction 48 then take the A168 northwards to the junction with the B6265 (about 45 mins from Leeds)
- From Harrogate – follow the A61 north (about 25 mins)
- From Masham – follow the A6108 south (about 20 mins)
- From Pateley Bridge – take the B6265 (about 30 mins)
- From York – follow the A59 west, then A168 north, then take the B6265 (about 35 mins)
Car parking in Ripon
If you are visiting Ripon by car or bus then the long stay parking is conveniently close to the museums and city centre. St Marygate and Cathedral car parks are the closest to the three museums and cost £3 for all day parking (sat nav HG4 1LX). They are under 5 minutes walk away and close to the Ripon shops and cafes.
Holders of the North Yorkshire parking discs may find road parking more convenient however there is a 2 hour limit. There are also car parks at Booths supermarket and in the Market Square.