Photo by Moira Allen	Fountains Abbey (12th century) Ripon, North Yorkshire The Abbey, Britain's largest monastic ruin, was founded in 1132 by 13 Benedictine monks seeking a simpler life. They later became Cistercian monks. Following the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539 by Henry VIII, the Abbey buildings and over 500 acres (202ha) of land were sold by the Crown to Sir Richard Gresham, a merchant. The property was passed down through several generations of Sir Richard's family, finally being sold to Stephen Proctor who built Fountains Hall probably between 1598 and 1604. A remarkable Elizabethan mansion, Fountains Hall was built partly with stone from the Abbey ruins. Today there are two rooms open to the public. The Lingering Power of Fountains Abbey, by Julia Hickey http://www.fountainsabbey.org.uk/ http://cistercians.shef.ac.uk/fountains/
	Fountains Hall (16th century) Ripon, North Yorkshire Fountains Hall was built by Stephen Proctor between 1598 and 1604, partly with stone from the Abbey ruins. It was built for peace and prosperity, not defence, and has been attributed to the influence of the Elizabethan architect Robert Smythson. After Proctor's death in 1619, the Hall eventually came into the hands of the Messenger family. They were Recusants [Catholics] but outwardly conformed to the Protestant religious settlement: this enabled them to lead quieter lives and may have preserved their finances, but they were still deniedmuch social and all political positions. On the Fountains Abbey estate. http://www.fountainsabbey.org.uk/estate/hall1i.html
	Jervaulx Abbey (12th century) Ripon, North Yorkshire Jervaulx Abbey was one of the great Cistercian abbeys of Yorkshire, founded in 1156. It was dissolved in 1537. The Abbey is privately owned (Editor's Note: by a very nice B&B), and visitors can view the ruins during daylight hours. Ruins include several stone coffins and burial sites. Four Great Abbeys and Priories of Yorkshire, by Dawn Copeman http://www.jervaulxabbey.com/
	Lightwater Valley Birds of Prey Centre Ripon, North Yorkshire Lightwater Valley Birds of Prey Centre is dedicated to providing our visitors with a professionally run, inspiring and entertaining experience. We aim to educate all our visitors about the need to protect our native birds of prey and their natural habitats, as well as guaranteeing a memorable and fun family day out. Visitors of all ages can enjoy hands on interaction with selected birds at the centre. http://www.lightwaterbirdsofprey.com/
	Markenfield Hall (14th century) Ripon, North Yorkshire Markenfield Hall was built by Canon John de Markenfield, Chancellor of the Exchequer to Edward II, in 1310. The King granted him permission to fortify the house: the Scots were raiding England as far south as Ripon, where many were kicked and survivors taken as hostages. http://www.riponcity.info
	Newby Hall and Gardens (17th century) Ripon, North Yorkshire Newby Hall, near Ripon, is the Yorkshire home of Mr & Mrs Richard Compton. Featured in BBC television's 'Heirs & Graces', this beautiful late 17th century house, with much of the interior later designed by Robert Adam, was built in the style of Sir Christopher Wren. The house has a friendly, tranquil atmosphere. The main rooms contain some fine 17th and 18th century furniture; the long table in the hall dates from the Middle Ages. The parlour and the dining room have good 18th century plasterwork. King James's Room, where James II stayed in 1679 when he was Duke of York, has kept its 17th century appearance. The house has some fine paintings, and the hall in particular is hung with splendid portraits and hunting scenes. Family and other costumes are displayed in the library and in the best spare bedroom. These displays are changed annually. http://www.newbyhall.co.uk/
	Norton Conyers (14th century) Ripon, North Yorkshire Norton Conyers is a mid 14th Century house with Tudor, Stuart and Georgian additions. It has been the home of the Graham family since 1624. http://www.riponcity.info http://www.touruk.co.uk/houses/houseyorkshire_nortonconyers.htm
Photo by Moira Allen	Ripon Cathedral (12th century) Ripon, North Yorkshire Today's church is in fact the fourth to have stood on this site. Saint Wilfrid brought stonemasons, plasterers and glaziers from France and Italy to build his great basilica in AD 672. Devastated by the English king in AD 948 as a warning to the Archbishop of York, only the crypt of Wilfrid's church survived but today this tiny C7th chapel rests complete beneath the later grandeur of Archbishop Roger de Pont l'Eveque's C12th minster. A second minster - built to minister the love of God to the local community Ð soon arose at Ripon, but it too perished Ð this time in 1069 at the hands of William the Conqueror. Thomas of Bayeux, first Norman Archbishop of York, then instigated the construction of a third church, traces of which were incorporated into the later chapter house of Roger's minster. The exceptional Early English west front was added in 1220, its twin towers originally crowned with wooden spires and lead. The minster finally became a cathedral (the church where the Bishop has his cathedra or throne) in 1836, the focal point of the newly created Diocese of Ripon - the first to be established since the Reformation. http://www.riponcathedral.org.uk
	Ripon Spa Gardens Ripon, North Yorkshire The Spa Gardens, twice-winner of a prestigious Green Flag award offer an 18-hole putting course, flat green bowling, 9-hole crazy golf, 3 tennis courts and restaurant facilities. A great place right in the heart of Ripon to enjoy some family fun, serious sport or just a gentle stroll through the beautiful displays to admire the splendid Victorian bandstand. http://www.riponcity.info/visitors/placestovisit/spa_gardens.php
	St. Mary's Church (19th century) Ripon, North Yorkshire The Anglican church was the religious masterpiece of architect William Burges whose Gothic designs clearly verged on the late 19th-century Arts and Crafts Movement. Built for the first Marquess and Marchioness of Ripon, it has a highly decorated interior characteristic of the Anglo-Catholic religious sentiments of the Victorian period. (Near Fountains Abbey.) http://www.fountainsabbey.org.uk/estate/church1f.html
Photo by Moira Allen	Studley Royal Manor and Water Garden (17th century) Ripon, North Yorkshire The Studley Royal Estate, a separate estate from Fountains Abbey until 1767, was inherited by John Aislabie in 1693. After his expulsion from Parliament in 1721 (following the South Sea Bubble scandal) he devoted himself until his death in 1742 to creating the Water Garden. His visionary scheme to transform what had been a wild, wooded valley was completed by his son William, who purchased the Abbey ruins in 1767 and landscaped the Seven Bridges Valley and Abbey grounds. The Water Garden, with its formal, geometric design and its extraordinary vistas, was inspired by the work of the great French landscape gardeners but is entirely individual in character. http://www.fountainsabbey.org.uk/
	Thorpe Prebend House (16th century) Ripon, North Yorkshire An entertaining and educational 'Ripon in wonderland' experience for all ages, this lovingly restored, sole remaining medieval Canon's House narrates the fascinating story of unique Ripon Minster and its City. Set in the precincts of the minster, be prepared to meet with our founding Saint Wilfred himself and travel in time to explore another world of fith and intrigue. A 'Time Clock', recalls missionary works, battles and plots. Discover which 'Royals' actually did sleep here and askÉ 'Did they sleep easy?' Hear the poetry of poet Wilfred Owen who spent his last, 25th, birthday in the Cathedral before he went back to the Front Line for the last time. http://www.riponcity.info http://www.shopsinripon.co.uk/thorpeprebend.html
	The Wakeman's House (16th century) Ripon, North Yorkshire A rare surviving example of an early timber-framed dwelling, constructed around the 16th century. The town's first citizen had the title of Wakeman in the Middle Ages, until it was replaced by Mayor in 1604 (James I's charter), and at one time it was believed that Hugh Ripley, Ripon's last Wakeman and first Mayor, lived here. http://www.riponcity.info
	Yorkshire Law & Order Museums (Civic) Ripon, North Yorkshire Spend time in original Victorian cells, experience the stocks and pillory at The House of Correction Prison & Police Museum. Visit a restored vagrants' ward from 1877 and witness the Hard Times Gallery at The Workhouse. And stand in the dock at The Courthouse, location for Ashfordly Courthouse in YTV's popular television series 'Heartbeat'. The Yorkshire Law and Order Museums in Ripon provide a fascinating opportunity to relive past times. Includes Prison and Police Museum, Workhouse Museum and Courthouse Museum. http://www.riponmuseums.co.uk