Ripon & Studley Royal Park circular walk

Parked up just outside the town centre on the Bondgate Green Road alongside the Ripon Canal Basin. It's somewhere I've often parked as it's a good getaway to the main roads when the walk is finished. I've always got parked here too, although today I did have to go a bit further along than usual.

Across the road and it's onto the canal towpath.

After a little bit of a disjointed start as we tried to get to the start of the walk proper, we picked up the River Skell to the west of the town.

Plenty of flat, riverside walking today - often through woodland.

After leaving the river, we turned right onto Borrage Green Lane.

After Whitecliffe Hall (seen straight ahead), there is a Public Footpath sign on the right which guides walkers in the direction which we were headed.

We're now briefly on the Ripon Rowel Walk as we cross the River Skell.

Entering the Studley Royal Park including the Ruins of Fountains Abbey (although we didn't actually visit the Abbey today). We just had a short wander around the 18th century water garden.

Seven bridges to cross - All of them seem to have been crafted along the lines of Ashness Bridge in Borrowdale. Makes you feel that you're in lakeland - a bit weird to be honest.

Although we had our waterproof boots, we selected not to try and ford it here.

The Studley Royal Lake continuously feeds water into the River Skell, which then carries on its journey after being diverted through Fountains Abbey and these water gardens. There is a wooden boardwalk alongside this weir which allows you to continue walking alongside the water's edge.

Studley Royal Lake.

Tea-Room at the entrance to the grounds of Fountains Abbey. Not the day for cream teas in the garden as the rain started to whip up.

A heavy shower as we made our way into Studley (Deer) Park - We tend to chat a lot and probably miss a lot of the wildlife on show - so we didn't see any deer that day. Did see plenty of pheasants avoiding the nearby shoot that we could here in the distance.

The long and straight driveway that is perfectly in line with Ripon Cathedral, which we could just see in the distance.

Looking back towards St Mary's Church - Should really had a walk up and around it - but as I said, we were chatting away, and the opportunity was soon missed.

Now Ripon Cathedral can be clearly seen through this gatehouse (well maybe not on the photo - but it's there in all its glory, take my word for it).

At the driveway entrance to 'Duck House', it's a left turn and into Studley Roger.

Some strange things around here - Plus a few oddities in the garden as well.

Picking up the Ripon path in the centre of the small village of Studley Roger.

Can't really go wrong on this one as the path heads directly to Ripon.

A small bit of roadside walking as the outskirts of Ripon is reached.

A much better walk-through Ripon on the way back (this would have been a better path to have taken earlier on in the day) as we walk alongside the River Laver towards the city centre.

This was as close to the Ripon Cathedral as we would get today. It wouldn't have taken much to have turned left and had a wander around. But we had a late lunch to have, plus a Friday night out to get back for. England were playing in a World Cup match, so it was to be a very early start. So as for the walk, it was just what the doctor ordered - a few hours of gentle exercise in lovely surroundings to hopefully help us both in our man-flu recoveries.