Discover Roecliffe

Walk: Ripon Canal

This is lovely 2 mile stretch of canal ideal for a short stroll at any time of year mixing heritage countryside and wildlife. The Route what3words for start point: ///mountain.cubic.haystack Start Point: Ripon Finish Point: Littlethorpe Distance: 2 Miles GPX Route Map ripon-canalDownload Walk Description Fancy a walk that's like a step back in history? Head to this beautiful canal in Ripon, which first opened its watery gates in 1769! Back in the day, this canal helped Ripon grow from a small medieval town into a bustling city. The canal used to be super important, but when trains came along, people stopped using it. It even closed down in the 1950s. But don't worry! Thanks to the hard work of the Ripon Canal Society, the canal got a second chance and reopened in 1986. They even made it longer in the 1990s, stretching it right into the heart of Ripon. So, what can you see on this walk? Well, look out for old buildings along the canal that tell tales of times gone by. And keep your eyes peeled for ducks, swans, and other water birds that love this peaceful place as much as we do. It's a lovely walk that lets you see Ripon's past and present, all while enjoying the great outdoors!