The town name derives from Old English and is believed to mean wood of the Hrype or Ripon people.

[2] Ripley was historically part of the West Riding of Yorkshire until 1974.

[6] The landscaped castle grounds and ornamental lakes are also open to the public.

[8] A 19th century Ingilby tore down the old village, except for the castle and the church, and modelled it after an Alsatian village with Ripley Town Hall designed in the style of a French "hôtel de ville".

[10][11] In March 2017, the town was named number 17 out of the 20 Best Villages in Britain to live in (one of only two in the North of England).