April 13 2026
The cathedral city of Ripon has been awarded Coach Friendly status by the Confederation of Passenger Transport, recognising its commitment to welcoming coach operators and group tours.
Ripon joins a national network of more than 25 towns, cities and locations accredited by CPT for providing good coach access – including pick-up and drop-off points, reasonably priced parking, visitor attractions and access to bus lanes.
A popular destination, Ripon has a wide range of attractions including its seventh century cathedral, riverside walks and several award winning museums. Close by are the UNESCO-listed Studley Royal Water Garden and Fountains Abbey.
CPT presented the award to the Mayor of Ripon, Councillor Barbara Brodigan, this week.
Andy Shaw, CPT Coaching Manager, said: “Ripon is a compact, walkable and welcoming city with terrific heritage. It’s exactly the kind of destination that benefits from strong coach connectivity.
“This accreditation gives clear reassurance to coach operators, drivers and passengers that they will be welcomed and well supported. Ultimately, it should generate more visitors to Ripon to spend money in local businesses and support the regional economy.”
Coaches provide 450 million journeys a year in Britain – equivalent to 40% of all journeys taken by rail. A study by KPMG for CPT in 2024 found that coach passengers spend £8.3 billion a year in local economies. A single coach visiting a city on a daily basis can deliver value of £1 million to the local economy over the course of a year.
Lilla Bathurst, Manager of Ripon BID / Visit Ripon, said: “Coach travel plays an important role in bringing visitors into Ripon, and this accreditation reflects the practical steps that have been taken to make group visits straightforward and well managed.
“The city’s layout means coaches can drop passengers close to the centre, with everything within easy walking distance once visitors arrive. With key attractions such as the cathedral, museums and riverside walks all nearby, Ripon is particularly well suited to group itineraries, and we are pleased to continue working with CPT and local partners to build on this.”
Tony Watson, Head of Economy and Tourism at North Yorkshire Council, said:
“We are delighted that Ripon has been awarded Coach Friendly status by the Confederation of Passenger Transport. This accreditation is a strong endorsement of the collaborative work taking place in Ripon to ensure the city is easy, welcoming and inclusive for group visitors. As part of our ongoing work as Visit North Yorkshire to promote and support sustainable travel, we were pleased to support Ripon BID in extending free coach parking, improving signage, and encouraging local businesses to take part in accessibility initiatives.
“Coach travel plays an important role in supporting local economies and sustainable tourism, a priority within North Yorkshire’s Destination Management Plan, and Ripon’s Coach Friendly status sends a clear message that the city values coach operators, drivers and passengers alike. We look forward to building on this success to continue strengthening Ripon, and North Yorkshire’s appeal as a high-quality, coach friendly destination.”
Coaches can deliver visitors in a way which minimises congestion and reduces exhaust emissions: one coach carrying 50 people can replace at least 20 individual car trips, and carbon emissions from one modern coach come in six times lower per passenger than private car travel.
CPT looks forward to awarding further Coach Friendly accreditations to destinations across the UK in the coming months.