If there’s one city determined to be the most Yorkshire of all Yorkshire places, it’s Ripon — proudly rooted in the very heart of the county, easy to reach from every direction, and brimming with heritage, character and community spirit. And on 1st August, Ripon is pulling out all the stops to celebrate Yorkshire Day and the city’s beloved St Wilfrid’s Procession, creating a double dose of county pride that few places can match.
Flying the White Rose High — Yorkshire Flags Across the City
To mark the occasion, Ripon BID has installed 50 Yorkshire flags across key points in the city centre, adding a cheerful splash of white rose pride to welcome residents and visitors.
This display has been a true community effort, and Ripon BID extends heartfelt thanks to:
- Ripon Men’s Shed — who carefully altered and repainted the flag poles.
- Otley BID — who generously donated the poles.
- Cllr Chris Hardisty — who kindly volunteered to put every flag in place.
Their combined efforts have helped Ripon look proudly Yorkshire for the big day.
A City at the Centre of Yorkshire’s Story
Ripon’s location — right at the county’s core — makes it the perfect place to celebrate Yorkshire Day. It’s a city that embodies the best of the region: heritage, hospitality, independence, resilience and a fierce sense of identity.
From the ancient cathedral to the nightly Hornblower tradition, from independent shops to family run attractions, Ripon stands as a living reminder of what makes Yorkshire special. And on 1st August, that identity shines brighter than ever.
St Wilfrid’s Procession — Tradition, Colour and Community
Alongside Yorkshire Day, Ripon hosts its famous St Wilfrid’s Procession, one of the city’s most cherished annual events. Expect vibrant floats, music, costumes, families lining the streets, and Wilfrid himself riding proudly through the city — a tradition that has brought Ripon together for generations. Find all the information here: St Wilfrid’s Procession
A Special Hornblowing Ceremony — All Four Hornblowers at 9pm
To round off the celebrations, Ripon will host a special Hornblowing ceremony at 9pm, featuring all four Hornblowers performing together to mark the occasion. This rare moment brings extra significance to Yorkshire Day, honouring Ripon’s 1,140 year old tradition in the most Yorkshire way possible.
Walk with Walter — Following the Whippet Trail Through Ripon’s History
No visit to Ripon this Yorkshire Day is complete without joining Walter the Whippet on his trail through the city brought to you by Ripon BID — a fun, family friendly way to soak up Ripon’s heritage while exploring at your own pace. The trail winds past some of Ripon’s best loved landmarks, and along the way there’s plenty of proper Yorkshire history to take in:
- A city built on an ancient charter. Ripon’s city status traces back to a charter reputedly granted by King Alfred the Great in 886 AD, making it one of the oldest chartered towns in England and giving Ripon a fair claim to being one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in the country. That same charter is the root of the Hornblower tradition — a nightly ritual believed to be over 1,140 years old.
- The whippet — a true Yorkshire icon. The whippet itself has deep Northern roots. Bred in the mid 19th century by working communities across Yorkshire and Lancashire mill towns, whippets were prized for rabbit coursing and racing, earning the nickname “the poor man’s racehorse” — a nod to a time when few could afford to keep a full sized greyhound. Their speed, loyalty and unmistakably elegant silhouette made them a fixture of Yorkshire life, and today they remain one of the breeds most associated with the county.
- Ripon Cathedral and its Saxon crypt. The trail passes close to Ripon Cathedral, home to the oldest intact Anglo Saxon crypt in England, built around 672 AD by St Wilfrid himself using stone salvaged from Roman buildings — a direct link between the city’s Roman era past and the saint celebrated in the August procession.
- Ripon’s market heritage. The city’s historic Market Square, has hosted trading for centuries and remains a lively hub — a fitting stop for anyone following Walter, since Ripon’s identity as a market town runs just as deep as its ecclesiastical history.
- A racing pedigree. Just outside the city, Ripon Racecourse — affectionately known as “the Garden Racecourse” for its beautifully kept grounds — has been hosting flat racing since 1900, tying neatly into the whippet’s own history as a creature built for speed.
- Museums along the way. The trail links naturally with Ripon’s trio of independent museums — the Workhouse Museum, the Prison & Police Museum, and the Courthouse Museum — giving visitors a chance to dig into the social history that shaped the city long before it became the picture postcard Yorkshire spot it is today.
Whether you’re following Walter with the kids, ticking off landmarks, or just using it as an excuse for a leisurely wander around the city centre, the trail is a lovely companion piece to the day’s celebrations — Yorkshire heritage, one paw print at a time.
“Top of the Tykes” — A Yorkshire Day Poem by Tim Flanagan
To celebrate the day, local journalist Tim Flanagan has written a special poem capturing Ripon’s Yorkshire spirit: “Top of the Tykes” – it’s a witty, heartfelt tribute to Ripon’s determination to stand tall as Yorkshire’s most Yorkshire city.
A Day to Celebrate Who We Are
Yorkshire Day and St Wilfrid’s Procession remind us of something simple but powerful: Ripon is a place with deep roots, strong community, and a proud identity. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or have lived here all your life, 1st August is a chance to celebrate everything that makes this city — and this county — extraordinary.
So come along, enjoy the flags, join the procession, watch the Hornblowers, follow Walter the Whippet through the streets, and help Ripon show the world why it truly is Top of the Tykes.
