Ripon Food Tasting Tour – A Uniquely Local Review

Ripon Food Tour - ripon

As you can probably imagine, one of the things I most love about running an experience company is the opportunity to try out new and unique experiences.

Last week, I had the pleasure of joining a food tour and tasting experience in Ripon run by our experience partner Yorkshire Appetite. It was a day packed with history, fantastic food, and of course a good helping of Yorkshire charm. Our group met up with Linda, our guide for the day, at Ripon Market Place.

Right from the start, she shared some fascinating tidbits about Ripon’s past, including the legend of the famous Ripon Hornblower, a tradition dating back to the 9th century where a wakeman would patrol the streets from 9 pm until dawn and was responsible for crime prevention. Even today, every night of the year without fail, a horn is blown at the four corners of the Obelisk in Ripon Market Place to set the ‘watch’ and then outside the house of the Mayor.

 

Ripon Food Tour - Olivers Brunch and Coffee

 

Our first stop was for a delicious brunch taster paired with the most excellent cup of coffee – the perfect way to kick off our culinary adventure.

 

Ripon Food Tour - Ripon Workhouse Museum

 

Next, we headed to the Ripon Workhouse Museum, where we were given a whirlwind tour of the vagrants’ cells. It was a sobering yet intriguing glimpse into the harsh realities of Victorian life, learning how the workhouse provided for the poor, while maintaining strict and punishing rules.

 

 

On to our next course where we then visited an authentic Indian tea room and tucked into a mouth-watering brunch taster of chicken curry with paratha flatbread, dahi, salad, and a seva mix. The flavours were out of this world. We all made a note of the twice monthly Indian Dhaba Evenings and our intention to return.

 

Ripon Food Tour - tapas

 

A leisurely walk around the market square brought us to a tapas restaurant where we sampled even more tasty dishes.

 

Ripon Food Tour - cake wakemans house

 

Dessert was in the form of the largest, most delicious slice of cake at the historic Wakeman’s House Café. The café itself is steeped in history, having once been home to Ripon’s very own Wakeman, adding even more charm to this stop.

 

 

Our final destination took us down behind Ripon Cathedral, across the river to a lovely riverside pub. Here, we ended the tour with a traditional Yorkshire Ploughman’s – a feast of local cheeses, crusty bread, and hearty portions that were so generous, we ended up taking some home!

 

All in all, it was a fantastic day out, and Linda was brilliant guide – bubbly, full of fascinating facts, and clearly passionate about Ripon and its rich history. If you’re looking for a fun and delicious way to spend a Wednesday, this tour should be at the top of your list!

If this review has inspired you to visit Ripon and it’s charming eateries you can buy a gift voucher or book a place on the Ripon Food Tasting Tour

 

The review was written by Uniquely Local business owner, Rachel who was a guest of Yorkshire Appetite Food Tours.