9.6 miles.
Explorer Map No 299, - Ripon & Boroughbridge
A gentle walk which can be undertaken at any time of the
year.
The walk starts from Ripon City centre, where time can be made to see
the Cathedral itself. If you are in Ripon for more than just the day,
there is PLENTY more to explore and see in the City.
The walk sets out along Borrage Lane where the house that Wilfred Owen,
the First World War poet, stayed in before his final departure for France.
The walk uses easy paths to reach Fountains Abbey, and returns via similar
paths.
There are superb views to be had on a clear day, and Fountains Abbey
itself is both highly photogenic as well as of immense architectural
and historic interest.
Entry into the Abbey Grounds is courtesy of the National Trust / English
Heritage. If you aren't a member of either organisation, there is a
fee to be paid for entry.
For a Memory Map overlay of the walk described, please select the above
link.
(Overlay made with Version 4 of Memory Map)
Start from the long stay City Centre car park in Ripon (SE31493 71277).
Walk to the front of Ripon Cathedral from the car park. From there, head
down Kirkgate to the Market Place.
From the Market Place, go down Low Skelgate and at the traffic lights
cross over into Borrage Lane.
Continue along Borrage Lane, and at the end turn left to head for the
footpbridge over the river.
Cross the footbridge, and immediately turn right. Follow the footpath
beside the River Skell until it emerges at the roadway by Hell Wath Cottage.
Turn left, and walk along the road for about 200 yards or so, until you
see the signposted (Ripon Rowel Walk) farm lane on your right. Head along
the farm lane for about 1 mile.
Just past Whitcliffe Hall Farm the Ripon Rowel Walk is signposted over
a field, following a footpath, on your right.
The path descends into some woods, and turns sharp right fairly soon after.
Follow the broad track until you come to the River Skell at a footbridge.
Cross over the footbridge and turn left to follow the path to The Lake
in Studley Royal Park. Enter the grounds of Fountains Abbey by showing
your National Trust / English Heritage membership card, - or paye the
required fee.
Immediately turn left, past the gate, to follow the path to Fountains
Abbey itself, - either by keeping to the path beside the Water Garden,
or by taking the signposted path via the High Ride.
After viewing Fountains Abbey, exit by the main National Trust information
centre (signposted).
From here take the signposted footpath to St. Mary's Church and the Obelisk.
From the church, continue down the Park drive to the gates of the park
(caution, traffic).
Once out of the park, immediately turn left into the village of Studley
Roger.
A short distance along in the village there is a signposted footpath on
your right. Follow this to where there is a "cross roads" of
broad footpaths, and immediately turn right to pass Rose Bridge Cottage.
Continue along the path to Hell Wath Cottage.
Here, turn left to take the footpath back to Ripon.
When you reach the footbridge, you can either return via Borrage Lane
(the way you came), or continue ahead beside the river until you come
tothe road where you turn left to return via Low Skelgate.