Ripley Castle

Estate Office, Ripley, Harrogate, Yorkshire HG3 3A7

Tel: 01423 770152

website: www.ripleycastle.co.uk

For almost 700 years the Ingilby family has loved their castle and no wonder, given its fabulous treasures, and glorious grounds. The first clue to the magnificence of Ripley Castle lies in its impressive 15^th Century arched gatehouse at the entrance to its 1,000 acres of land. The estate - which today includes a stately home, complete with paintings and furniture that would grace a royal palace, as well as grounds containing a glorious lake and deer park - has been in the possession of the Ingilby family since the marriage of Sir Thomas Ingilby to Edeline Thweng in 1308.

Ripley Castle's grounds contain some of Britain's largest herbaceous borders, interspersed with fountains and lawns. There are walled gardens that are a pleasure to visit at any time of year, and the National Hyacinth Collection which creates a delightful pastiche of colours and fragrances, especially in early summer. The kitchen gardens, meanwhile, contain rare collections of herbs, spices, fruit trees and vegetables. A walk around the wooded pleasure grounds leads to the lakeside path, where herds of Fallow and Red Deer graze peacefully under ancient oak trees.