I'd like to visit Ripon where my grandmother was born. It's my first trip to England and I'm hoping to find transportation that will not require renting a car. I know I can go from London to York by train, but what is the best way to visit Ripon and Fountains Abbey from York? I would take a bus, pay for a car & driver, or a tour, but can not find any information at all - even on Ripon's few websites. Any helpful advice on transportation to and accommodations around Ripon would be appreciated. Thanks!

K, go to this site: http://ukbus.u-net.co.uk/ , click on North Yorkshire and you will find a journey planner that will a number of daily journeys between York and Ripon. Some are by combination train and bus, others by bus. To get to Fountains Abbey its either walking or taxi from Ripon, I believe.<BR><BR>ron

Found a bus schedule! Thanks.

K, can you share the bus schedule from York to Fountains Abbey? Thanks.

Roger,<BR>We have taken a bus from York to Fountains Abbey. We had to get the ticket from the tourist info office in York to reserve a seat. We did it a day before, but only 8 people in this huge bus. I recall at that time the bus was running once a day, about twice a week. <BR><BR>The bus worked this way. I think there were 2 destinations served by this bus. In the morning the bus first went to the Fountains Abbey, dropped off those who wanted to stay there, then went to Harrogate to drop off others. Then about 3 hours later, the same bus came back to pick up passengers at Fountains Abbey then in Harrogate, made about 20 min stop there, then headed back to York. There was a guide in a bus that narrated stories on the way back to York. Sorry, I don't know if there is a web site for this.

Thanks Greg, we will check it out when we get to York.