Ripon College

Ripon College is a theological college built in phases between 1853 and 1904, primarily designed by G.E. Street, with later extensions by Spencer Slingsby Stallwood. It is a Grade II* listed building, reflecting its group value and architectural importance.

The main range, dating from 1853-54, is constructed of squared coursed limestone rubble with ashlar dressings, and has a plain-tile roof with a crested ridge and stone stacks. It is in the French Gothic style, features four bays, and consists of two storeys plus attics. The façade includes a projecting lateral stack flanked by gabled dormers with bracketed half-hipped roofs, and the irregular fenestration is grouped at each floor. An octagonal corner turret is present on the right side. A 1904 wing in Tudor Gothic style obscures the left bay. To the right of this wing is a short two-storey range featuring a three-bay traceried arcade on the ground floor, and at first floor a large oriel window with moulded corbelling rising from a respond, surmounted by a tall hipped roof. A three-storey cross-wing with a shingle-covered bellcote on the roof adjoins it—the gable’s rose window originally served as the east window of the former chapel. The Gothic-arched entrance is situated within this block.

Street's later range forms the north side of the entrance court. The first-floor chapel features a three-light east window with Geometrical tracery, two-light side windows, and groups of three and four trefoil-headed lancets to the ground-floor hall, which displays episcopal arms on the gable wall. A corresponding range to the west of the main block is of two storeys plus attics, with three high gabled dormers and an archway at the junction leading to a through passage with ribbed vault. A two-storey domestic range extends northwards.

The chapel is reported to contain a painted panelled ceiling and stained glass, remains of a decorative scheme from 1875-77 by Clayton and Bell, but the building was not inspected.

The forecourt is enclosed on the east by a low stone wall with tapered coping, and includes a buttressed pointed entrance arch with a gablet and foliated finial on the top coping. Ripon College represents Street's first significant work.