Administrator: Rachel Terry
Owner: Sir Thomas Ingilby, Bt

Description

Romance and drama, villainy and heroism: all feature strongly in the fascinating and ongoing 690 year history of the Ingilbys of Ripley Castle. If only the castle walls could talk they would tell you tales of Kings and Queens, civil war and plagues, of the secret hiding place concealed behind the Knight's Chamber panelling, of the swashbuckling daughter who held the victorious enemy general at gunpoint in the Library, of numerous clandestine affairs.

Imagine being able walk, room by room, through an ancient castle, occupied by the same family for 690 years: learning the history, savouring the atmosphere, admiring the furnishings and works of art. You can, by joining one of the highly entertaining guided tours of the castle: we are open to the public all year round.

In recent years the castle has also become one of Britain's premier venues for wedding ceremonies and receptions, special dinners and banquets, meetings, concerts and training and team-building days. First-class accommodation and food is available at the castle's adjacent Boar's Head Hotel, the 2001 winner of the Johansens Traditional Inn of the Year Award.

Weddings

Ripley Castle has witnessed many dramatic events over the last seven hundred years. Some of the more memorable involved cauldrons of boiling oil being tipped over the battlements. Thanks to OPEC price hikes and the crippling level of fuel duty, the only thing they can afford to throw nowadays is confetti.

Five of the castle's main reception rooms, including the 16th century oak-panelled Library, are licensed for civil weddings. There can be few more romantic venues than Ripley Castle with a log fire crackling in the hearth and candlelight flickering on the ceiling.

Conferences and Meetings

They will go to extraordinary lengths to ensure that everything is perfect for your business meeting, seminar or conference. The Castle's rooms can accommodate up to eighty delegates theatre style, or 42 boardroom style. When the Coach House Suite opens (work commences in November 2001 and we plan to open in Autumn 2003) they will be able to seat 150 theatre style in great comfort, in rooms overlooking the castle courtyard, lakes and deer park.

For the more adventurous they can organise activity and team building sessions, involving clay pigeon shooting, quad bikes, or the use of the low and high ropes training course.

Opening Times – 2007:

Castle:
Guided Tours. Gates open at 9 am. First Tour 11 am, last Tour 3 pm.

April to October; daily.

November and March; Tuesday, Thursday Saturday and Sunday

December, January, February; weekends only.

Please telephone before you visit as opening times may be varied without prior notice.

The Castle is open daily throughout the year for pre-arranged group tours.

Gardens:
Open daily throughout the year (except Christmas Day), 9 am - 5 pm (4.30 pm winter months).

The Boar's Head Hotel
No dogs allowed except for Guide Dogs.

Admission Charges - 2007:

Castle and Gardens:
Adults - £7.00
Seniors and Groups (25+) - £6.00
Children (5-16) - £4.50
Children (Groups) - £4.00
Children under 5yrs - Free

Gardens Only:
Adults - £4.50
Seniors and Groups (25+) - £4.00
Children (5-16) - £3.00
Children (Groups) - £2.50
Children under 5yrs - Free

Special Events

Apr 7 - 9 2007 Easter Egg Hunt
Apr 27 2007 Marie Curie Fashion Show
Apr 28 2007 The Crystal Ball
All Events at Ripley Castle

Additional information

Open All Year Historic House Parks
Gardens Playgrounds Weddings
Disabled Access Education Accommodation
Refreshments Picnics Guides
Meals Available Haunted Conferences
Gifts Nursery Live Entertainment
Shop Parking  

Credit cards accepted
MasterCard Visa Switch