We pulled the live Google rating and review count for all the pubs in Ripon (checked 4 October 2026), ranked on rating first and review count to break ties. Every figure below is real and correct at the time of writing. Nobody paid to be on this list, and ratings move, so a quick check before you go is worthwhile.
How we ranked them: highest Google star rating first, ties broken by number of reviews.
NorthYorkshire.co branded rating card (no business photo used)
One Eyed Rat
Known for beer garden
With 4.7 stars from 667 Google reviews, One Eyed Rat is rated highly by the people who have used it. It is listed in Ripon as a pub. Reviewers most often mention beer garden (65 mentions), real ales and traditional pub. Its Food Standards Agency hygiene rating is 5 out of 5 (last rated June 2025). According to its Google listing: open Monday and Tuesday 4–10 pm, Wednesday 4–10:30 pm, Thursday 4–11 pm, Friday 2–11 pm, Saturday 12–11 pm, Sunday 12–10 pm.
Good to know: phone 01765 607704.
NorthYorkshire.co branded rating card (no business photo used)
The Water Rat
Known for river view
Google reviewers rate The Water Rat 4.5 out of 5 across 1,108 reviews. It is listed in Ripon as a pub. Reviewers most often mention river view (176 mentions), riverside location and carvery. Its Food Standards Agency hygiene rating is 5 out of 5 (last rated June 2025). According to its Google listing: open Tuesday to Sunday 11 am–11 pm; closed Monday.
Good to know: phone 01765 602251, has a website with more detail.
NorthYorkshire.co branded rating card (no business photo used)
King William IV
Known for welcoming atmosphere
King William IV is rated 4.5 from 148 Google reviews. It is listed in Ripon as a pub. Reviewers most often mention welcoming atmosphere (6 mentions), cleanliness and beer. According to its Google listing: open Monday 5–11 pm, Tuesday to Friday 3–11 pm, Saturday and Sunday 12–11 pm.
Good to know: phone 01765 278544.
NorthYorkshire.co branded rating card (no business photo used)
The Black Bull
Known for quiz nights
With 4.4 stars from 60 Google reviews, The Black Bull is rated highly by the people who have used it. It is listed in Ripon as a pub. Reviewers most often mention quiz nights (9 mentions), karaoke and music bingo. Its Food Standards Agency hygiene rating is 4 out of 5 (last rated October 2024). According to its Google listing: open Monday and Tuesday 3–10 pm, Wednesday and Thursday 12–11 pm, Friday and Saturday 12 pm–12 am, Sunday 12–9 pm.
Good to know: phone 01765 602755.
NorthYorkshire.co branded rating card (no business photo used)
The Ripon Inn
Known for friendly staff
Google reviewers rate The Ripon Inn 4.3 out of 5 across 397 reviews. It is listed in Ripon. Reviewers most often mention friendly staff (132 mentions), gardens and welcoming staff. Its Food Standards Agency hygiene rating is 5 out of 5 (last rated April 2025).
Good to know: phone 01765 233159, has a website with more detail.
NorthYorkshire.co branded rating card (no business photo used)
The South Lodge
Known for carvery
The South Lodge is rated 4.3 from 325 Google reviews. It is listed in Ripon as a pub. Reviewers most often mention carvery (13 mentions), live music and family friendly. Its Food Standards Agency hygiene rating is 5 out of 5 (last rated January 2026).
Good to know: phone 01765 522318, has a website with more detail.
NorthYorkshire.co branded rating card (no business photo used)
Black Swan
Known for traditional pub
With 4.2 stars from 241 Google reviews, Black Swan is rated highly by the people who have used it. It is listed in Ripon as a pub. Reviewers most often mention traditional pub (4 mentions), newly decorated and friendly owners. Its Food Standards Agency hygiene rating is 5 out of 5 (last rated October 2025). According to its Google listing: open Monday to Thursday 11 am–12 am, Friday 11 am–2 am, Saturday 12 pm–2 am, Sunday 12 pm–1 am.
Good to know: phone 01765 602985.
NorthYorkshire.co branded rating card (no business photo used)
The Navigation Inn
Known for friendly pub
Google reviewers rate The Navigation Inn 4.2 out of 5 across 144 reviews. It is listed in Ripon as a pub. Reviewers most often mention friendly pub (11 mentions), welcoming staff and dog friendly. Its Food Standards Agency hygiene rating is 4 out of 5 (last rated May 2025).
Good to know: phone 01765 600030.
NorthYorkshire.co branded rating card (no business photo used)
Hornblower Tavern
Known for friendly staff
Hornblower Tavern is rated 4 from 218 Google reviews. It is listed in Ripon as a pub. Reviewers most often mention friendly staff (14 mentions), friendly locals and watching football. Its Food Standards Agency hygiene rating is 5 out of 5 (last rated January 2017). According to its Google listing: open Monday to Sunday 11 am–11 pm.
Good to know: phone 01765 605889, has a website with more detail.
The verdict
On Google rating, One Eyed Rat ranks first of the 9 pubs we checked, with 4.7 stars from 667 Google reviews.
How we ranked them
- Which businesses: every listing for pubs on Google Maps in Ripon with a genuine local address and a public rating. National chains and businesses that don't fit the category are left out.
- Order: Google star rating, highest first, ties broken by review count. Places with fewer than 50 reviews come after the rest, and places with fewer than 10 reviews are not ranked at all.
- "Mentioned" counts: these come from the review topics Google shows on each listing. We haven't picked or edited them.
- Nobody paid to be on this list, and nobody can pay to move up it.
Run a business we've missed, or spotted something out of date? Tell us and we'll check it and update the page.