Things to do on Saturday near Ripon (N Yorks) - 4 adults and a 6y

[Hulababy]

We are going to a wedding this weekend in the Ripon area.

The service is at Ripon register office at 10:30am, followed by a meal at a pub a few miles out of Ripon. No idea what time meal is but presumably around 12-12:30pm. There is then an evening do starting, I guess, around 7pm or so.

So, we have a few hours to waste in the middle of the day - possibly around 5-6 hours I guess.

Will be me, DH, PILs and 6yo DD.

Obviusly don't want to go anywhere for food as will have eaten/be due to eat.

Any suggestions?

TIA

What about Newby Hall? Gardens, playground and small train.
www.newbyhall.co.uk/

Thanks for link; looks nice. Def could be a possibility, esp if weather is dry.

If you want something free and good exercise, Brimham Rocks is great on a nice day.

Another nice place is Fountains Abbey

A bit further from Ripon is Ripley Castle - will fill an hour or so if it is wet and it is actually very interesting!! Nice grounds and a pretty village if the weather is OK

If retail therapy is more your style, Harrogate is great (about 30 mins drive from Ripon)

Not sure DD will want shopping TBH; prob not DH or FIl either

Forbidden Corner is to far - that was first idea as been before and it is fab. But multimap says 1 hour drive each way.

Have just looked at Fountain's Abbey - slightly cheaper than Newby Hall to which is a bonus. Another possibility if a dry day.

DH and I liked Ripley when we stayed there. Might be a bit far though.

Anyone been to the 3 law and order museums in Ripon, esp the workshouse one?

The museums are tiny, but interesting.
You can do them all in a couple of hours.
'Dishes' cafe (by the cathedral) does nice coffee.

Ripley is only 10-15 minutes away from Ripon.

Pateley Bridge is lovely - about 20 minutes away, and has a nice walk by the river, play park, and good teashops.

Yes, although only 20 miles, the road map sites say an hour's drive. Guess it is the roads.

2 hour round trip to far in an already busy day.

What do the museums have ib? Anny interactive stuff for DD? She loves learning about the olden days.

Also, Studley Royal Deer Park is next to Fountains' Abbey, and is free to get in.

Lovely walks with lakes - lots of wildlife.

You can use the National Trust cafe at the entrance to Fountains, without paying the entrance fees.

Fountains is expensive if you aren't members of NT.

I did Ripon (N Yorks) to Forbidden Corner postcode (from their site). Says 20 miles, 1 hour.

The roads up to Middleham are narrow though, and it can be sloooooooow if you get behind a tractor or a weekend driver out for a bimble.

Yes, I remember not getting anywhere fast when last round that area!

I would say 1/2 an hour from Ripon to Forbidden Corner. Newby Hall is better than Ripley IMO.

You could always head into York - 40 minutes away and go to any of the museums there, the Yorvik centre is fab and the kids will love it, or the National Railway Museum (FREE!) is a good way to spend an afternoon.

Hmm...not sure now. The auto route sites are all saying up to an hour; lowest so far says 3/4 hour. Not checked Tom Tom yet.

Can't risk it if going to take ages. Da is busy enough and already got plenty of driving morning and night (we have Sheffield - Doncaster - Ripon journeys to do)

Think ideally we need to be heading somewhere wthin 30 mins really, to avoid too much travelling. But what is another question?

fountains abbey
newby hall
nice walk somewhere called the seven bridges - but have a feeling it might be at fountains abbey
lightwater valley - but not sure you will be wanting to go there with wedding togs on
mother shiptons cave?

fair point, I didn't think about trying to park on a Saturday