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Ripon, North Yorkshire

Swallow

The How Hill cottages and countryside beyond, Yorkshire
The How Hill cottages and countryside beyond, Yorkshire | © National Trust/Chris Lacey
The sitting area with woodburner in the open-plan living space at Swallow, Yorkshire
Fountains Abbey, Yorkshire

Swallow

This former farm building is now a characterful holiday cottage with woodburner and exposed beams, near miles of walks at Fountains Abbey.

Grid of 20 images
The sitting area with woodburner in the open-plan living space at Swallow, Yorkshire
Fountains Abbey, Yorkshire
The How Hill cottages and countryside beyond, Yorkshire
The exterior of Swallow, Ripon, Yorkshire
The sign for Swallow cottage on an exterior stone wall, Yorkshire
The open-plan kitchen, dining and sitting room at Swallow, with vaulted ceiling and exposed beams, Yorkshire
The kitchen and dining area at Swallow, Ripon, Yorkshire
The kitchen area at Swallow, Yorkshire
The sitting area at Swallow, Ripon, Yorkshire
The second double bedroom at Swallow, Ripon, Yorkshire
The twin bedroom at Swallow, Ripon, Yorkshire
The first double bedroom at Swallow, Ripon, Yorkshire
The en-suite shower room at Swallow, Yorkshire
The bathroom with shower over bath at Swallow, Yorkshire
The shared courtyard at the How Hill Cottages, Ripon, Yorkshire
How Hill, a steep hill with a tower at the top, behind the How Hill cottages, Yorkshire
A view of the abbey ruins at Fountains Abbey, North Yorkshire
Fountains Abbey, Yorkshire
Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden, Yorkshire
A view a deer grazing near Choristers' House in Studley Royal Deer Park, Yorkshire

© National Trust / Chris Lacey

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This former farm building is now a characterful holiday cottage with woodburner and exposed beams, near miles of walks at Fountains Abbey.

  • Guests

    6

    Bedrooms

    3

    Acorn rating

    3What's this?

    Number of dogs welcome

    0

    Reference

    020029

    • A single-storey converted barn in the North Yorkshire countryside

    • Walk to Fountains Abbey, where you'll have out-of-hours access to the grounds to watch the sun set over the abbey ruins

    • It's only a short drive to Harrogate, full of boutique shops, famous tea rooms and independent restaurants

     

    Swallow has been converted from an 18th-century farm building, which was originally used as a cow shed to house a dairy herd. The cottage has been restored using traditional materials and retains its original character, with vaulted ceilings, exposed beams, and a brickwork fireplace with woodburner. 

    The cottage is just a mile away from Fountains Abbey, a World Heritage Site. You'll have free entry here and to other National Trust places during your stay – there's even a special key for the West Gate entrance for out-of-hours access to the grounds. Explore the largest abbey ruins in the country, which are almost 900 years old and make a unique backdrop for a picnic. There are miles of trails around the abbey, through the deer park and alongside the ornamental lakes and temples of Studley Royal garden, one of the best surviving examples of a Georgian water garden in England.

    It's a perfect base for a walking holiday, with much of the Yorkshire Dales National Park within an hour's drive of the cottage. Reach the giant rock formations and panoramic views at Brimham Rocks in a 15-minute drive, or take the 7.5 mile Monk's walk trail from Fountains Abbey's West Gate.

    The spa town of Harrogate is only nine miles away. It’s full of places to eat and drink, and you can book a relaxing treatment at the historic Turkish Baths. York city and its minster, ancient city walls and medieval shopping streets are also within driving distance.

    Swallow is one of five holiday cottages at How Hill. There's also Lapwing (sleeps six), Curlew (sleeps six), Lark (sleeps four) and Wren (sleeps two). Multiple cottages can be booked together for a group stay.

    • Wi-Fi, available
    • Garden, available
    • Fridge, available
    • Freezer, available
    • Microwave, available
    • Open fire / wood burner, available
    • Television, available
    • DVD, available
    • Washing machine, available
    • Dishwasher, available
    • Tumble dryer, available
    • Cot & high chair, available
    • Single storey, available
    • Open-plan layout, available
    • Near National Trust attraction, available
    • Countryside, available
    • Trails, available

    There is a shared laundry room in the courtyard with washing machine and tumble dryer.

    What's provided in a National Trust holiday cottage?

Book together

There are five cottages at How Hill near Fountains Abbey, which can be booked together for groups of up to 24 guests. There are 14 cottages overall at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal.

The exterior of Wren, Ripon, Yorkshire

Wren 

Stone walls, a large wood-burning stove and views of the Vale of York give this place bags of character. Sleeps two and has accessible features.

The How Hill cottages and countryside beyond, Yorkshire

Swallow 

A former farm building now converted to a characterful holiday let with exposed beams. Sleeps six.

The exterior of Curlew, Yorkshire

Curlew 

Just a mile from Fountains Abbey’s deer park, this cottage at How Hill is full of character. Sleeps six.

The exterior of Lapwing, Ripon, Yorkshire

Lapwing 

A wood-burning stove, characterful stone walls and less than a mile from beautiful Fountains Abbey. Sleeps six.

The exterior of Lark, Ripon, Yorkshire

Lark 

A former cow shed that’s now a stylish holiday home less than a mile from Fountains Abbey. Sleeps four.

View all of the cottages at Fountains Abbey 

Image: Abbey Cottage and Abbey Stores, at the West Gate entrance to Fountains Abbey

Abbey Cottage and neighbouring Abbey Stores at the West Gate entrance to Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden, Yorkshire

Things to see and do at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden 

Ancient abbey ruins and an awe-inspiring water garden at this World Heritage Site

Ripon, North Yorkshire

Fully open today
Autumn colour fills the landscape from the Studley water garden to Fountains Abbey

Family-friendly things to do at Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal 

Helpful tips if you’re planning a visit to Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal with babies and children

Autumn fun with leaves on the west green of Fountains Abbey 4 kids

Fountains Abbey Estate Boundary walk 

Yorkshire

See all the highlights of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal on a circular walk, taking in the Abbey ruins, hall, deer park and 18th-century water garden.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 5 (km: 8)
Autumn colour fills the landscape from the Studley water garden to Fountains Abbey

Light up your evening at Fountains by Floodlight 

Make memories this autumn racing through the abbey glow in the quiet of the autumn night. Create shapes in the shadows and hear the crunch of your footsteps echo through the ruins on a late-night adventure you won’t forget!

Fountains Abbey is aglow with lights from the East Green

Exploring the area

Brimham Rocks 

Explore dramatic moorland rock formations

Harrogate, North Yorkshire

Fully open today
A couple walk along the accessible paths at Brimham rocks on an autumnal morning

Treasurer's House, York 

Step inside this house of contradictions in the centre of York

York, North Yorkshire

Fully open today
Stone house with a lawn and fountain in the foreground

Yorkshire Dales 

Enjoy picturesque villages, drystone walls, flower filled hay meadows and the characteristic rolling hills of the Dales.

Settle, North Yorkshire

Fully open today
Janet's Foss wetland site on the Malham Tarn Estate in the Yorkshire Dales in autumn

Beningbrough 

Art exhibitions, history, and evolving gardens in the Yorkshire countryside

York, North Yorkshire

Closed now
View of the tree-lined drive and the north front of Beningbrough Hall, Gallery and Gardens, North Yorkshire

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