[2] It was situated between Ripley Valley Junction (on the Leeds Northern main line from Harrogate to Ripon and Northallerton) and Hampsthwaite; the main road from Harrogate to Ripon crossed the line immediately east of the station.

One of the four original stations on the Nidd Valley branch, Ripley had a small goods yard with two sidings, a hand crane and a weigh house.

The building itself was to the design of NER Architect Thomas Prosser, with stepped gable ends, similar to those at Birstwith, Dacre and Pateley Bridge.

An additional bedroom was added later at the eastern end, along with a small timber lock-up warehouse and an office.

After closure the station building remained in use for some time, but the site was later completely cleared and has been redeveloped for commercial use.