Playgroups and Classes
Ripon, Nidderdale and the surrounding areas are a fantastic place for bringing up children and there is plenty going on children.
Below is a list of all the local playgroups and drop in clinics throughout the week and also details of all the children’s activities classes available across our area. Please contact the organisers directly if you would like to find out further information or to confirm class times or costs.
If you know of any other classes or groups which are not already listed, then please email us at nidderdale@mumbler.co.uk
Basic listings are free. ’Featured’ listings are £10 per month. For our full advertising rates then please click here.
Ripon Dance Academy provides high quality, fun and friendly dance lessons at Hugh Ripley Hall in Ripon for children aged 2 – 18. We offer a wide range of lessons including IDTA Ballet, IDTA Modern Jazz, IDTA Tap, Contemporary and Acrobatic dance. We currently run over 20 classes per week with over 100 students. All of our teachers are fully qualified and DBS checked.
Please email for more details – ripondance@live.co.uk
Hugh Ripley Hall
Skellbank
Ripon
North Yorkshire
HG4 2PT
Mon-Tues: | 16:00 – 21:00 |
Sat: | 09:00 – 15:00 |
Our new swimming pool and refurbished gym in Ripon is now open for everyone to enjoy.
It offers modern and state-of-the-art facilities to help you achieve your health and wellbeing goals.
The leisure and wellness centre features:
Outside, there is a new children’s play area and a large car park with electric charging points and a sheltered cycle rack.
Work to refurbish other facilities in the leisure centre including two new activity studios and spin studio is continuing. During this time our fitness classes are continuing to run from Hugh Ripley Hall in Ripon.
We’re open seven days a week, except for bank holidays.
Swimming pool opening times
Monday to Friday 6.30am until 9pm
Saturday and Sunday 7am until 6pm
The pool timetable is available here
First Monday of the month during term time, 14:00 – 15:00
Enjoy these free, fun-filled sessions for children aged 2 – 4 and their carers within the Pre-Prep at Queen Mary’s School. These informal sessions will include stories, crafts and more for the children whilst adults can chat over a coffee each month.
The Pre-Prep Team will lead a themed session. To ensure that the school has the right amount of craft materials and refreshments each month it would be wonderful if you could book your place.
Call 01845 575040 or email admissions@queenmarys.org
Baldersby Park, Topcliffe, Thirsk
If you’re a parent of 12 – 15 year old, who wants to improve their fitness skills, a Brimhams’ Junior membership at the Jack Laugher Leisure and Wellness Centre in Ripon and Nidderdale Pool and Leisure Centre is the perfect choice for teenagers.
The gym sessions are designed to help teens feel more confident, boost energy levels and improve sport-related performance.
Before starting, a parent or guardian will need to sign a consent form and an induction will need to be completed with an instructor. During the induction the instructor will create a relevant training programme based on physical ability, capability and gym experience; this will be reviewed like any other membership.
The membership includes swimming whenever the swim programme permits and use of the gym at any time.
Find out more at
Busy Birds host outdoor learning play sessions and pop-up parties for children from 6 months to 6 years. With nature based opportunities to dig, plant, hunt for bugs, paint, make mud pies, plus loads more! Open from Spring until the end of Autumn. See website for more details.
FiiT like a girl is a specially structure fitness class for girls aged 8-13 . Aimed at getting girls active, increasing confidence, self esteem and feeling good about what they can achieve. Available in Knaresborough (Mon), Harrogate (Thur) and Ripon (Fri).
Contact Vicky on 07447436286
Children’s yoga classes designed for parents and kids to experience together with the YogaBugs method. Classes include warm up stretches, relaxing breathing techniques, fun poses and strengthening postures. finishing with a short meditation and relaxation.
07531 934 067
Come along to our fabulous playgroup at lofthouse village hall and enjoy time socialising with other parents whilst your children play in a safe and caring environment.
£1.50 a child.
Every monday 1.00pm til 3.00pm term time.
Refreshments available.
For more information please message Rosemarie on 07805079759
Karate classes. For all ages 5 and up
Call for details: 01423 568067
Monday 6.20pm – 7.20pm Ripley Town Hall HG3 3AX with Master Janet McKenna
Thursday 6.30pm – 7.30pm Pateley Bridge Scout Hut HG3 5QA with Mr Peter Newband
Friday 5.30pm – 6.30pm Boroughbridge Methodist Church YO51 9AH with Mr Colin Inglis
Structured musical education programmes suitable from birth until your child starts school.
Monday’s – Northallerton
Tueaday’s – Richmond
Thursday s – Darlington
Friday’s – Bedale and Leyburn
For more information call Helen on 07530779313
Classes for all ages run in Catterick Leisure Centre and Colburn Leisure Centre. Satellite locations include Thirsk Leisure Centre and Bedale High School.
Classes run Monday – Saturday
07580427507 (text only)
We currently play on Tuesday and Thursday from 8pm to 10pm. Players of all abilities welcome.
Phone David on 01423 865962
The opportunity to learn basic life saving skills. Badgers (5 – 10yrs) – 5.45 – 7.00pm, Cadets (10 – 18yrs) – 7.00 – 8.30pm (Term-time only)
Ruth’s Arty Experience provide innovative and exciting process art workshops and arty birthday parties bringing true joy and exploration to art.
Weekly workshops for 18 months – 5 year olds are held every Monday (term time) in Romanby WI Hall, Northallerton, DL7 8BJ – 10am 10:45am. Cost: £2 first session. Thereafter pay monthly, £5 per workshop. Booking is essential as places are limited.
Tel: 07855 395747
Senior Cadets only (aged 12-18) Mondays and Fridays 6.45 – 9.00pm
Junior Section (ages 10 and 11) will meet Fridays 6.45 – 9.00pm
Band (open to all ages) Wednesday 6.30 – 8.30pm
The boating season starts in May and ends in September.
07733 150873
Swimming lessons take place at Ripon Grammar school on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evening (5:00-6:30) and a Sunday 9-12.
4 swimmers per teacher is the maximum in each 30 minute lesson. Swim Perfect is approved by Swim England. Follows the Swim England Learn to swim programme.