The canal south of Ripon is a delight as you can find out on this easy walk from the city down to the picturesque village of Bishop Monkton
THE WALK
1. Leave car park to the south beside Sainsburys down a footpath. Emerge on the main road in front of the cathedral. Continue south on Bedern Bank and ahead at the roundabout onto King St. Cross bridge then before church turn left onto footpath. At next bridge bear right on to Bondgate Green then first right onto Bondgate Green Lane. At the end turn right onto Dallamires Lane to pass leisure centre. At crossroads fork left up Knaresborough Rd.
2. Turn left down Littlethorpe Lane. Where road ends continue down path to cross bypass. Follow lane as it winds its way into Littlethorpe. At church turn right onto Pottery Lane for a mile.
3. As road bears right in front of the Fairfield chicken farm continue ahead on a track towards the barn, bearing left and through a handgate. At giant concrete rings turn right to walk through a field of saplings – and often chickens! Go through a handgate, cross a track and proceed to right of a fencepost along cart track. Cross culvert, go over two stiles and along path between a hedge and fence to the road. Turn right to explore Bishop Monkton.
4. To continue walk turn left onto Boroughbridge Rd. At village sign turn left through handgate onto footpath. Go through metal gate and follow left edge of field. Go through another handgate to reach river then turn left and through metal gate to proceed along the bank and over gated footbridge. Pass through kissing gate to reach Oxclose Lock.
5. Go through gap beside gate and continue ahead on Tarmac lane. Cross canal via Rentons Bridge and go around gate to continue north. Pass Nicholson's Bridge and over footbridge to pass Bell Furrows and Rhodesfield Locks.
6. Follow path beside B6265 and through underpass eventually to enter the canal basin. Leave basin by turning right at yoga studio. Turn right briefly onto B6265 then first left down unnamed minor road. At the end cross river via footbridge and continue ahead up road. Turn left down High St Agnesgate then immediately right through gates and into Ripon Cathedral yard. In front of the cathedral cross the road and follow footpath back to the car park.
BY THE RIVER
Use hides on the canal bank to spot wildlife in Ripon City wetlands including bitterns, avocets, little ringed plovers , kingfishers and otters among the reedbeds.
Watch narrowboats as they negotiate locks on the Ripon Canal. It opened in 1773 initially to carry flax for the Knaresborough linen industry as well as timber and coal. Today it's the northernmost canal connected to the English waterway system. Discover the cobbles, warehouse and forge of the timeless, film set-like canal basin reopened in 1996 after restoration. The route also includes hidden corners of the River Skell with views of the cathedral plus a footbridge just down river which leads you to and through the cathedral yard.
Picturesque Bishop Monkton is also well worth a visit not least for the beck that runs through it spanned by no less than seven little bridges which make it a lovely spot for a half- way rest. The village dates back to AD 661 when it was part of the monastic community of Ripon hence the name. A cornmill, rebuilt in 1784, lies to the east of the village. You also walk through the peaceful hamlet of Littlethorpe. Look out for its boundary marker stone within a walled enclosure which once marked the boundary between the Thorpe and Givendale townships.
Parking: Cathedral car park. HG4 1LG. SE314713.
Map link: bit.ly/YLRipon
EAT HERE
THE ROYAL OAK
A homely, stylish18th-century former coaching inn. Visit on a Sunday to enjoy one of the family roast boards which you carve yourself at the table. Advance booking necessary. Eating outside on the patio (partly covered) also available. timothytaylor.co.uk/pubs/ royal-oak-ripon
THE WATER RAT RESTAURANT & BAR
Beautifully located by the River Skell with patio and views ofthe cathedral. Seafood and Yorkshire platters for sharing at £13 plus main courses for £14 to £16. Carvery on Sunday and there’s a large choice of sandwiches at lunchtime. thewaterrat.co.uk
