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HOW IT RATES

The cathedral city of Ripon in North Yorkshire feels more like a town, retaining its traditional charm with picturesque buildings and bustling markets in the main square. June’s rainfall caused local flooding reminiscent of that in 2000, provoking a renewed campaign for better flood defences.

ARCHITECTURAL GEMS

Founded in the 7th century, the present cathedral dates in part from the 11th century, with later additions. Orginally a minster, it became a cathedral in 1836 – the first to be established since the Reformation. The Cistercian remains of Fountains Abbey are four miles away. Norton Conyers country house has links with Charlotte Brontë and King James II, and Newby Hall is said to be one of England’s finest Adam houses.

WHAT’S NEW

Hawksmoor Court is a new development of five five-bedroom houses near the A61 bypass. Contact Sundawn, 01423 705554. Cathedral Court is a mixed development of new houses and a converted school; prices for two-bedroom flats start at £210,000. Contact Dacre, Son & Hartley, 01765 605151.

QUALITY OF LIFE

Very good when the river remains within its banks. A strong community spirit keeps local activities plentiful, while the conservation of landmark buildings maintains the historic atmosphere – witness the Ripon hornblower, who announces the night watch at nine o’clock every evening.

POPULATION

Most recently estimated at 16,270, an increase of 2 per cent from 2001-2005. Children make up 20 per cent of inhabitants, and there are slightly more women than men.

TRAVEL

North Yorkshire is connected to the Midlands and the South by the M1. Ripon has no railway station, but trains from nearby Harrogate reach Leeds in 38 minutes. Trains from Harrogate to London (via Leeds) take just over three hours.

SMARTEST STREETS

High Saint Agnes Gate is by the cathedral in the city centre and has large manor houses with gardens backing onto the river. Littlethorpe Lane is also nice. Ripon Grammar School is on Clotherholme Road; its reputation attracts buyers into its catchment area.

BEST RESTAURANTS

The Old Deanery does excellent modern food and has a separate vegetarian menu. The Bruce Arms in Masham offers good food and a vine-covered terrace. Vennells restaurant, also in Masham, is worth a visit.

TOP NIGHTLIFE

Miniclub, the Ministry of Sound’s micro-branch in Harrogate, is half an hour’s drive from Ripon. Swinton Park, a country house hotel, has a cosy, welcoming bar. The One Eyed Rat offers the real Yorkshire pub experience, and The Matrix is the local club.

EDUCATION

Ripon Grammar School is Yorkshire’s only state-run boarding school. The city no longer has ties with any university: the former College of Ripon and York St John, which was linked to Leeds University, became York St John University, based in York, last year. The Ripon Operatic Summer School has been going since 1950.

WORKING LIFE

Unemployment in June was 1.2 per cent, compared with the national rate of 2.3 per cent. The largest employment sector is distribution, hotels and restaurants at just over 40 per cent, then the public sector at 28 per cent.

UPSIDE

The Ripon Spa Baths are housed in an ornate Edwardian building with beautfully maintained gardens; the health suite has a sauna and massage studio. The Yorkshire Law and Order Museums cover grim subjects in an interesting way. The Black Sheep Brewery offers tours and makes a fine brew.

DOWNSIDE

Plans for flood defences approved last November were postponed by the Environment Agency because of lack of funds, leaving the city vulnerable to this summer’s downpours.

£226,000 The average property price in Ripon
Source: Hometrack

3% The decrease in property prices in Ripon over the first three months of this year
Source: Halifax

159% The increase in property prices in Ripon over the past ten years
Source: Halifax

178mm The total amount of rainfall in Ripon in June
Source: The Met Office

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