A warm, inviting pub, situated by the river in the picturesque city of Ripon. Offering traditional homecooked meals coupled with a wide selection of the best quality real ales. All of this within a homely atmosphere with idyllic views to make you feel welcome whatever the weather.
Please see our Special Christmas Menu for more information and booking details.
Tuesday to Saturday
12:00 pm – 2:30 pm
and 6:00 pm – 9.00 pm
Sunday Carvery
12:00 pm – 4:00pm
Tuesday to Sunday
11:00 am – 11:00 pm
We are closed on Monday
Since 2007, Rick Jones, the landlord of The Water Rat, has brought the pub into a league of its own. Whilst focusing on top quality beer and the best homecooked food Rick has managed to make the Water Rat a popular location for residents and tourists alike. Allowing all to feel welcome and enjoy their time visiting the pub.
The Water Rat is situated by the River Skell, offering ideal Yorkshire views that are unexpected for a city based pub. With an emphasis on locally sourced food and beverages the pub really focuses on embracing the Ripon community.
With the opportunity to be seated outside by the river, or cosy inside by the fire, there is the chance to enjoy your time here whatever the weather. Drawing inspiration from its idyllic surrounding the pub offers the perfect environment whether you are out for an afternoon drink
or a Sunday carvery.
Areas of the pub are available for private hire. With a beautiful conservatory that’s scheduled for refurbishment, we can cater for a variety of events, including parties and family functions for all occasions. We can provide a full bar and the facilities to provide many catered options which can relieve the stress caused by hosting any event!
If you have a party or family function you need to plan please use the contact form provided or feel free to call us on:
Choose from a selection of three homemade burgers and beer
£10.00Every Thursday
enjoy two selected gin and tonics
Catch two fish and chips
£14.99Friday 5-6pm
Get two cocktails for the price of one
Test your knowledge
From 7pm
For a small Yorkshire City, Ripon has lots to offer and we want you to really enjoy your time here. We have made a few recommendations for where we think you should go whilst you are visiting!
If you fancy some more options visit www.ripon-internet.com where there are plenty more activities along with places to eat and stay in Ripon! But don’t forget to pop down to the pub for a drink and tell us all about your visit!
We love for our location next to the river so we cannot recommend Ripon Scenic Cruises enough! If you love sightseeing then located just over the road from The Water Rat, at the canal basin, is the opportunity to hire a boat and take a beautiful narrowboat cruise on the canal and River Ure.
Throughout the summer there is no better feeling than getting dressed up to the nines and enjoying a day at the races. The racecourse is situated just outside Ripon so can be easily accessed just a short walk from The Water Rat, and we will even be happy to see you all on the walk back, whether you win or lose!
If you consider yourself a bit of a history buff there is the perfect tourist spot for you! Ripon Cathedral, with a rich history spanning all the way back to the 7th century, is the ideal location for anyone looking to inject a bit of culture into their visit. With stunning architecture both in and out it really is a sight to behold. If you don’t fancy the walk back into town, then luckily, we have the perfect view of the cathedral from our beer garden.