Magical Christmas market comes to castle grounds

A Christmas market featuring dozens of speciality artisan producers and makers will be hosted in the fairy-tale setting of the Castle Courtyard of historic Ripley Castle.

Real Markets, whose mission is to support local, specialist, and independent producers and makers, is hosting a special festive market in the enchanting grounds of one of Yorkshire’s leading attractions.

The Ripley Market runs throughout the year with a monthly market on the last Sunday of each month, but on December 10, it pulls out all the stops for a free Christmas market.

As well as dozens of stalls on 10 December, the Ripley Christmas Market will feature a special visitor from the North Pole. Father Christmas will be there to meet children from 10-11.15am. The market will also feature festive carols from local school children, children’s craft activities and plenty of festive fodder.

Visitors can make a day of it and enjoy a walk in the beautiful setting, with free access to Ripley Castle's grounds and gardens on market day. Dogs on leads are welcome too.

On offer in the picturesque setting are high-quality gifts, handmade crafts, and delectable treats. The event will showcase an array of 40 independent and artisan traders, offering visitors a unique shopping experience.

Festive goods include cakes and bakes from Harrogate’s Baltzersen’s, Skipton’s Andrea's Heavenly Cheesecake, The Sawley Kitchen, and the Belle Vue Bakery in Leeds, as well as the multi-award-winning bakery, Bree’Osh.

There will also be a chance to get your hands on Tricky Dickie's Sticky Toffee Puddings made from a secret family recipe, fudge from Por Favour, and Pick Mix Gift sweets, as well as Ollie Morris' Artisan Chocolates.

Street food is on offer from the Yorkshire Cheese Grill and Farsley Fire and Smoke, and foodies can find bespoke meats from the eighth-generation farmers, Wass Farm Charcuterie. Hot drinks will be on offer from Harrogate’s Buzz Coffee.

For festive tipples, gin, rum, and Coulton Mill Cyder is on hand, and there’s also stalls offering cheese, olives, oils, condiments and more.

For seasonal gifts, you’ll find goats milk soaps from Lily & Rabbit, local artists, silver jewellery from the Yorkshire jewellery maker, Hipandra, hats from Ilkley Bah'Tat, Barnsley’s Yorkshire Blankets, and beautiful sustainable wood homeware and Christmas decorations from Woodcutter Creations.

Lucy Allen, director of Real Markets, said: “We’re very excited to bring a specially curated local market to the magical setting of Ripley. It offers a fantastic day out for all ages, thanks to the historic, rural setting, where visitors can enjoy the village and castle grounds. We hope it brings some real, traditional Christmas magic to visitors.”

Real Markets run a number of long-standing Yorkshire markets, including monthly markets and farmers’ markets in Ilkley, Grassington, Otley and Harrogate. Ripley is their newest market. Its ethos is to support local, small, specialist and independent businesses to benefit the local community and help local producers thrive.

The Real Markets festive market at Ripley Castle will take place from 10am to 3pm on December 10th. Admission is free.