The Unicorn Bar The hotel lounge bar is an ideal venue to relax and chat over a quiet drink. A comfortable corner to meet friends for coffee enjoy a bar meal and watch the world go by. This bar is named after the famous boot boy Thomas Spence who was given the nickname Crudd. (a colloquialism meaning ugly). “He usually introduced himself with a pair of slippers in one hand in the other. The company in general were so diverted with his odd appearance that they would frequently give him a piece of money on condition that he held it between his nose and chin. He was always ready to comply with this request, it being no less satisfactory to himself than entertaining to them.

The management has a wealth of experience to ensure that your event runs smoothly and professionally. Projection and Sound equipment can be hired in on your behalf. The De Grey room located on the first floor is the perfect venue for your Conference, Training course or meeting. Whether you require an informal setting for a meeting or presentation or a more formal approach for training or conferencing this venue is the ideal choice. Capacities: Theatre Style 60 Board Room Style 26 U-Shape 20. Room Hire: Half Day £75, Tea/Coffee £1.40 (biscuits 50p) per person. Lunch by arrangement

1379 Thomas de Ledes: The Poll Tax return indicates “3 Brewsters” on the market place. Thomas de Ledes pays tax of 24d and is possibly the innkeeper of the Unicorn. 1604 Edward Turner and Margaret Allanson: An eventful period which included 1625-1626 Outbreaks of plague in Ripon. 1648 1651 Oliver Cromwell stays in Ripon. 1676 Richard Porter: Son of the above. ister of Richard Porter inherits the Unicorn. 1704 Francis Cowling. 1734 Cuthbert Cowling. 1745 William and Sarah Haddon: Purchased The Unicorn for £410 and convert the original timber building to Georgian Brick and extend it to create its current frontage. 1769 John and Alice Haddon: During this period t he Unicorn was famous for a character known as Tom Crudd or Old Boots. His real name was Thomas Spence. This extraordinary person was favoured by Nature with a nose and chin so enormously long, and so lovingly tending to embrace each other, that he acquired by habit the power of holding a piece of money between them. Being a servant of the Unicorn Inn in Ripon, Yorkshire, it was his business to wait on travellers who arrived there, to assist them in taking off their boots. He usually introduced himself in the room with a pair of slippers in one hand and a boot jack in the other. The company in general were so diverted with his odd appearance that they would frequently give him a piece of money on condition that he held it between his nose and chin. This requisition he was always ready to comply with, it being no less satisfactory to himself than entertaining to them. 1780's John Fairgray – (Innkeeper). (nephew of Alice Haddon) 1817 Hasledine Sharpin - (Tenant). 1821 Elizabeth Sophia Lawrence. The Golden age of stage-coach travel. 1832 Mr Thwaites – ( Landlord). The Great Reform Act doubled those entitled to vote for the two Ripon Members of Parliament.. Miss Lawrence's conservative candidates based at the Unicorn were beaten by the liberal reformers based at the Black Bull. Three years later in 1835, the voting was reversed and celebrations abounded in a splendid dinner provided by Mr Thwaites, the spirited landlord of the Unicorn Inn. 1848 John and Anne Cleminshaw. –( Landlord) The railway comes to Ripon 1858 Charles L Dodgson (Lewis Carroll) the author of Alice in Wonderland stays the Unicorn 1861 The Hanby Family- (Landlords). 1860’s Robert Ellington Collinson,- Visit of their royal highnesses Prince Edward and Princess Alexandra 1863 after which visit Royal patronage was claimed. Collinson was Mayor or Ripon 1876 -1880. 1890’s Bernard and Elizabeth Evans –. At this time the hotel had 24 bedrooms and was the largest commercial hotel in the city. The hotels coach was replaced by a motorised omnibus which collected passengers from the station. 1902 Sir Christopher Furness. – Acquired the hotel for development by a consortium but changed plan and built the RIpon Spa Hotel instead. 1919 Hepworths Brewery. Purchased the hotel for £8,000. 1983 David and Maureen Small. 2007 Richard and David Murray Wells

The Unicorn Hotel The Market Place Ripon North Yorkshire, HG4 1BP Tel: +44 (0)1765 602202 Fax: +44 (0)1765 690734. E-mail: reservations@unicorn-hotel.co.uk. To contact us with regards to reserving a room, booking a short break or with any general enquiries, please telephone us on: (0)1765 602202 We can also be emailed at: reservations@unicorn-hotel.co.uk Or please complete the contact form below. We endeavour to answer all email queries within 24 hours, however if your request is immediate, please contact us via telephone.

The Unicorn Hotel The Market Place Ripon North Yorkshire, HG4 1BP Tel: +44 (0)1765 602202 Fax: +44 (0)1765 690734 E-mail: reservations@unicorn-hotel.co.uk. Facing West across Ripon's historic Market Place, The Unicorn is one of the Nation's oldest Coaching Posting Inns. After seven hundred years The Unicorn continues to offer travellers a very warm welcome. 33 En-Suite Bedrooms. Brigantes Restaurant. Conference/Meeting Room. Open to Non-Residents

Soups of the day £2.75. Warm tartlet of chargrilled Provencal Vegetables and goats cheese, fresh basil and a baby leaf salad. £4.75. Moules Marnier, White wine, cream and a hint of chilli £4.75. Terrine of Yorkshire ham and seasonal game £4.75. Home made fish cakes with home made Tartar sauceand chunky tomato salsa £4.75. Confit of duck with savoy cabbage, spring onion drop scone and Chinese five spice honey glaze £8.75. Steak and Mushroom pie with golden puff pastry served with fresh vegetables £6.95. Slow roast shoulder of lamb served on rosemary roast root vegetables, green beans and redcurrant jus £8.95. Crackling topped confit of port. Served on parsley mash with green beans and English apple gravy £6.95. Sirloin Steak, cooked how you like it with a choice of: chilli thyme butter, Bearnaise sauce, Pepper sauce. served with crispy potato wedges and salad or seasonal vegetables. £14.50. Provencal Vegetable Moussaka, made with a delicious home made tomato sauce, char grilled vegetables and a Mozzarella sauce with a hint of nutmeg. £5.95

WINTER TARIFF to March 31st 2008. Weekends Race Meetings. Single Double 2 sharing Double 1 person Family Room………………………………. Children under 3 free, Additional child under 16 - £10.00, Additional adult £20.00 (per night). Dinner Bed and Breakfast 2 nights. Single Double 2 sharing Family Room Children under 3 free, Additional child under 16 -£20.00 (BB only evening meal charged as taken) Additional adult £110.00 (for 2 nights). Group Rates (20 or more) - Please telephone reception 01765 602202 Pets: We are pleased to welcome pets at a charge of £10 per stay. We reserve the right to amend prices without prior notice. SUMMER TARIFF April 1st – Sept. 30th 2008. Single…………………………………………….. Double 2 sharing………………………………. Double 1 person ………………………………. Children under 3 free, Additional child under 16 - £10.00, Additional adult £40.00 (per night). Single………………………………………………. Double 2 sharing……………………………….. Family Room……………………………………..

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden. A world heritage sight photo courtesy of the National Trust www.fountainsabbey.org.uk. Brimham Rocks – National Trust. Weird rock forrmations, great walks, wonderful views www.brimhamrocks.co.uk. The home of the Ingilby family for 700 years www.ripleycastle.co.uk. Newby Hall Gardens. One of Britain’s finest Adam houses, 25 acres of award winning gardens. Photo courtesy of Newby Hall. Thorp Perrow Arboretum and Falconry. 85 acre renowned arboretum, falconry displays. Lightwater Valley Theme Park. 40 rides and attractions, shopping village. Photo courtesy of Lightwater Valley www.lightwatervalley.co.uk. Ripon is ideally located for exploring the Yorkshire Dales National Park,

Dinner is available in the dining room and the bar every night from. Breakfast 7.30 weekdays. Sunday Carvery from 12pm – 2.30. We are happy to welcome children. A special children’s menu and high chairs are available.

Banner photos courtesy of Ripon City Partnership. Ripon is one of the smallest cities in England. The Unicorn Hotel is situated on the graceful market square a short walk to the cathedral. Ripon Cathedral Thorpe Prebend House. A place of worship and inspiration for 1300 years www.riponcathedral.org.uk. Ripon Canal and Marina. Photo courtesy of Ripon City Partnership. 15 days of exciting racing are held at Yorkshires Garden Racecourse. Ripon Prison and Police Museum Ripon Workhouse. On the site of the former house of correction www.ripon.co.uk/museums. There are many delightful walks in and around Ripon

Farty Towers Night - a take on the '70's TV hit Fawlty Towers. May 31st 2008 - £36 a head - 4 course 70's style evening menu - call reception for details - 01765 602202