A tiny yet pretty UK city steeped in history has been the filming location for major TV shows.

Ripon, nestled in North Yorkshire, is one of the UK’s smallest cities, with a population of 16,590 according to the 2021 Census. It’s often been dubbed a ‘large town’ rather than a city, but it’s undoubtedly full of character and charm.

Ripon has been described as a “little city that packs a big punch” by the local tourism board, while visitors have said it’s a “small city, with a big landscape”. Positioned between the Yorkshire Dales and the North Yorkshire Moors, the city is a gateway to the diverse landscapes of rolling hills and valley hay meadows.

The city is characterised by cobbled streets, medieval architecture, a winding canal and a lively market square. There are high streets brimming with independent shops, alongside cosy tearooms like the Yorkshire Tea Room, and traditional pubs, such as the One Eyed Rat.

One of Ripon’s standout landmarks is the magnificent 7th-century cathedral, with beautiful stained-glass windows, high Gothic ceilings and a grand entrance. Inside, it has incredible details, from the carvings said to have inspired Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, to “underground cellars with prayer rooms” and “the organists waving hand”, as described by visitors.

The city is well-known for Ripon Racecourse, often dubbed ‘Yorkshire’s Garden Racecourse,’ which hosts national and regional events, attracting thousands of punters. It even draws in film production crews.

The Ripon Racecourse has famously been used as a filming location for scenes in Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, as well as the hit TV series All Creatures Great and Small. But it wasn’t just the racecourse that caught the attention of major productions.

The ruins of Fountains Abbey, a Cistercian monastery founded in 1132 in Ripon, were used for scenes in Anne Boleyn, The Witcher, All Creatures Great and Small, and The Great British Dig. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s said to be one of England’s largest and best-preserved monastic ruins, and is situated near the picturesque National Trust Studley Royal Park.

Meanwhile, scenes from TV series Peaky Blinders and Victoria were shot at the beautiful Newby Hall & Gardens in Ripon. The grade I listed 17th-century country house is set among acres of pristine gardens and lawns, with an adventure playground and a miniature railway, making it ideal for a family day out.

Elsewhere in Ripon, there is the bustling central market square brimming with traders every Thursday offering everything from fresh fruit and veg, to baked goods, cheese and homemade pastries. A smaller market is held on Saturdays, attracting locals who buy their fresh produce and meat from the butchers.

In a tradition dating back almost 700 years, the market is ceremoniously opened at 11am by the Ripon Bellman. Yet, that’s not the only tradition this city holds.

In another long-standing tradition dating back more than 1,000 years to AD886, a horn is sounded four times at 9pm every single night at the Obelisk in Ripon’s Market Place. The ancient ceremony is known as “setting the watch”, which commemorates a time during the Middle Ages when the first citizen of Ripon, the Wakeman, was responsible for crime control from 9pm until dawn, and had to compensate burglary victims.

It remains a widely known tradition today, with large crowds gathering at the historical landmark to experience it for themselves. For residents, they’ve undoubtedly become accustomed to the sound of the horn flooding the city each evening.

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