Approximate Location Map
Large Map »
Latitude: 54.1363 / 54°8'10"N
Longitude: -1.5237 / 1°31'25"W
OS Eastings: 431216
OS Northings: 471270
OS Grid: SE312712
Mapcode National: GBR KNSM.X0
Mapcode Global: WHC7V.K9MC
Plus Code: 9C6W4FPG+GG
Entry Name: Obelisk
Listing Date: 27 May 1949
Grade: I
Source: Historic England
Source ID: 1315492
English Heritage Legacy ID: 330147
ID on this website: 101315492
Location: Ripon, North Yorkshire, HG4
County: North Yorkshire
District: Harrogate
Civil Parish: Ripon
Built-Up Area: Ripon
Traditional County: Yorkshire
Lieutenancy Area (Ceremonial County): North Yorkshire
Church of England Parish: Ripon Cathedral Parish with Littlethorpe
Church of England Diocese: Leeds
Tagged with: Obelisk
This list entry was subject to a Minor Amendment on 24 November 2023 to correct a typo in the description and to reformat the text to current standards
SE 3171
1/42
RIPON
MARKET PLACE (centre)
Obelisk
27.5.49
GV
I
1702. Architect: Nicholas Hawksmoor. Clerk of Works: Cornelius Varker. Masons: William Etty and William Cowling. Carver: Samuel Carpenter of York. Smith: John Hood. Ashlar, Plinth. Tall, simply moulded base, with a plaque misleadingly inscribed:
"MDCCLXXXI
ERECTED AT THE EXPENSE OF
WILLIAM AISLABIE ESQUIRE,
WHO REPRESENTED THIS BOROUGH
IN PARLIAMENT SIXTY YEARS.
THE MAYOR, ALDERMEN AND ASSISTANTS
OF RIPON ORDERED THIS INSCRIPTION,
MDCCLXXXV
THE HONOURABLE FREDERICK ROBINSON,
MAYOR."
Obelisk surmounted by tall wrought iron weather-vane incorporating a representation or the Wakeman's Horn. Eighty feet high. Built by John Aislabie of Studley Royal. William Aislabie's contribution in 1781 must have been to repair it. He may also have removed the wrought iron railings surrounding it, and replaced them with four smaller obelisks at the corners, which have also been removed since.
The earliest surviving free-standing monumental obelisk in Great Britain.
Listing NGR: SE3121671270
External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.
Other nearby listed buildings
