Group Visits:-
Group tour parties are welcome at Ripley Castle by prior arrangement summer or winter, any day of the year except Christmas Day from 10.00am until 5.00pm.
The Castle Tour is both fascinating and highly entertaining, there are so many humorous anecdotes about the castle and the family, and the whole group will love the portraits and furnishings, and armour.
Groups will hear how 'Trooper Jane' Ingilby held Cromwell at gunpoint in the Library, how Sir John rebuilt the castle but lost his wife and how Sir Thomas saved the life of Edward III. The highlight of the tour is the Knight's Chamber, on the second floor of the Tudor Tower. Here you discover the secret priest's hiding place and hear all about the priests that once occupied it. If you group has a specific interest, let us know and we can tailor the tour to suit your requirements.
Your coach driver can drop you off right outside the gift shop so there is very little walking involved, and our Guide will meet and greet you as you enter the Gift Shop. Excellent toilet facilities (including disabled and baby changing) are available next to the Gift Shop, by prior arrangement we can also have two electric invalid buggies waiting for you when you arrive for use in the Grounds of the Castle.
Click here to download our Group Tours information leaflet Ripley Group Visits flyer
The guided tour takes approximatley 1 hour and 10 minutes, and neck loops are available for the hard of hearing. The Coach Driver and Organiser gets FREE entry into the Castle and Gardens.
To book a group tour of Ripley Castle, please complete the BOOKING form 2008 and return it to Jenny Carter. Before completing and returning the booking form please contact the office in order to check availability and provisionally hold a date in our diary.
Afterwards everyone can enjoy a wonderful stroll through the extensive walled gardens, pleasure grounds and deer park. There are also the glorious herbaceous borders or thousands of daffodils, narcissi, snowdrops and bluebells. Guided tours of the gardens can also be arranged for those groups who are particularly interested in horticulture.
The Castle Tearooms can be booked for light refreshments, cream teas or hot meals by prior arrangement, a refreshment voucher will be given to your Coach Driver.
The following menu is available is the tearooms for groups only 2008 Tea Rooms Group Menus
Ripley's historic church is generally open for visitors and there are plenty of shopsto visit. Ripley is also famous for its ice cream, served from the village shop.
Schools tours are a speciality, tell us which periods of history you wish to cover and our guides will work with you to ensure that the children get the most from their visit. See our Education section for further information. To book a school group tour of Ripley Castle, please complete Booking form 2008 for schools
For further information, booking forms and menus please contact our Group Tour Coordinator Jenny Carter at enquiries@ripleycastle.co.uk