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Ripon, North Yorkshire

West Gate Lodge

The exterior of West Gate Lodge, Fountains Abbey, Yorkshire
The exterior of West Gate Lodge, Fountains Abbey, Yorkshire | © National Trust
The sitting room at West Gate Lodge, Fountains Abbey, Ripon, Yorkshire
View of the ruins at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, Yorkshire

West Gate Lodge

An elegant Victorian cottage with views over the 12th century Cistercian Fountains Abbey.

Grid of 24 images
The sitting room at West Gate Lodge, Fountains Abbey, Ripon, Yorkshire
View of the ruins at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, Yorkshire
The exterior of West Gate Lodge, Fountains Abbey, Yorkshire
The back of West Gate Lodge, Yorkshire
The dining room at West Gate Lodge, Fountains Abbey, Yorkshire
The dining room at West Gate Lodge, Fountains Abbey, Ripon, Yorkshire
The kitchen at West Gate Lodge, Fountains Abbey, Ripon, Yorkshire
The utility room at West Gate Lodge, Fountains Abbey, Yorkshire
The kitchen at West Gate Lodge, Fountains Abbey, Ripon, Yorkshire
The bathroom at West Gate Lodge, Fountains Abbey, Ripon, Yorkshire
The double bedroom at West Gate Lodge, Fountains Abbey, Yorkshire
The double bedroom at West Gate Lodge, Fountains Abbey, Ripon, Yorkshire
View from one of the diamond leaded windows at West Gate Lodge, Yorkshire
The study room at West Gate Lodge, Yorkshire
The study at West Gate Lodge, Fountains Abbey, Yorkshire
The exterior of West Gate Lodge, Fountains Abbey, Yorkshire
The garden at West Gate Lodge, Fountains Abbey, Yorkshire
The view from across the orchard to the back of West Gate Lodge, Yorkshire
The garden at West Gate Lodge, Fountains Abbey, Yorkshire
Chairs at the end of the secluded garden, next to the River Skell at West Gate Lodge, Yorkshire
Looking over the Half Moon Pond and weir of Studley Royal Water Garden from the Surprise View towards Fountains Abbey, North Yorkshire.
A group of deer in Studley Royal deer park, Yorkshire
Looking across East Green towards the abbey through the long grass, wildflowers and buttercups
Prehistoric rocks tower above a far-reaching view of the Yorkshire countryside

© National Trust/Mike Henton

An elegant Victorian cottage with views over the 12th century Cistercian Fountains Abbey.

At a glance

Guests
2
Bedrooms
1
Number of dogs welcome
0
Reference
020032
Acorn rating

About West Gate Lodge

West Gate Lodge was built around 1859 by the Marquess of Ripon using stone from the nearby Fountains Abbey ruins. Inside you’ll find a cosy cottage furnished with handcrafted oak furniture and original Victorian features, such as diamond leaded windows. The cottage has an enviable location and looks south across an orchard of ancient variety fruit trees and to the Kitchen Bank Meadow. For alfresco dining, or simply relaxing with a good book, you can head down to your own secluded, and naturally wild, strip of riverbank garden bordering the Skell.

Sitting behind the West Gate visitor route, you’ll be on doorstep of the Abbey and grounds, which you are welcome to explore – even after-hours once the day visitors have gone home. If you’re feeling artistic, you’ll find a few artist materials and easel waiting in the cottage, perfect for painting the Abbey at sunset. You’ll have 700 acres of Studley Royal deer park and numerous walking trails across the park, including The Seven Bridges Valley walk. 

Further afield are the Yorkshire Dales and Yorkshire Moors, with endless walking opportunities. Other places to visit nearby are the Ripon Races, Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Brimham Rocks and Beningbrough Hall. The popular coastal towns of Whitby and Robin Hood’s Bay are both within a two-hour drive.

If you would like to stay with a group, there are other holiday cottages within a few minute's walk of the cottage. Proctor (sleeps three) and Vyner (sleeps three) are apartments in Fountains Hall. Abbey Stores (sleeps two), Abbey Cottage (sleeps six, dog friendly) and Fountains Cottage (sleeps eight, dog friendly) are a little further down the lane, outside the West Gate entrance to the estate. 

Features and facilities

  • Wi-Fi, not available
  • Garden, available
  • EV charging, not available
  • Fridge, available
  • Freezer, available
  • Microwave, available
  • Open fire / wood burner, available
  • Television, available
  • DVD, available
  • Washing machine, available
  • Dishwasher, available
  • Tumble dryer, available
  • BBQ, not available
  • Cot & high chair, available

Location

Accessibility

Not accessible. Find more information in the Accessibility Guide. Accessibility questions? Email holiday.enquiries@nationaltrust.org.uk or call us on 0344 800 2070.

Read our accessibility guide 

Layout

Ground floor layout

Entrance hall, dual-aspect sitting room with an open fire. Dining room, kitchen, utility room and cloak room.

First floor layout

Bedroom with super-king bed (can be made into a twin on request), dressing room and interconnecting door to bathroom.

More information

Access: The accessibility guide is for guidance only. For up-to-date information, please call the team on 0344 800 2070.

Heating: Open fire in living room, gas central heating throughout.

Logs: Additional supply of logs may be purchased upon booking or prior to arrival for £8 per bag. Please note there are no logs available to buy on site so you will either need to come equipped with your own logs or ensure you pre-order.

Parking: One designated space to the side of Fountains Hall. Guests may drop off luggage at the front of West Gate Lodge, but no cars are permitted to park beside the cottage - please use the car parking space provided. Distance from the cottage to the parking space is approx 200m on a level, tarmac drive.

Garden: Down 16 steep stone steps to the far side of the cottage, the garden is river-side with a very steep drop, so dogs and children are not permitted at this property.

There is a patio area on the raised bank with a bistro table and chairs.

Offers: Holiday cottage guests have free access to Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Estate during opening hours and after hours until dusk once the public have gone home. This is with the exception of Fridays in November, December and January when the estate is closed on Fridays.

Guests will benefit from a late Sunday checkout at 4pm.

Book together...

A view of Proctor apartment, within Fountains Hall, North Yorkshire

Proctor 

A stylish third-floor apartment in the beautiful Fountains Hall with views of the river Skell. Sleeps three.

A view of Fountains Hall and Proctor apartment, North Yorkshire

Vyner 

A fine period apartment based in a grand hall that has played host to some royal guests. Sleeps three.

Abbey Cottage, Yorkshire

Abbey Cottage 

An eclectic history and stylish interiors with walks along the river to Fountains Abbey. Sleeps six, dog friendly.

The exterior of Fountains Cottage, nr Ripon, Yorkshire

Fountains Cottage 

Three spacious floors to explore, an ivy-clad exterior and Fountains Abbey just moments away. Sleeps eight, dog friendly.

The exterior of Abbey Stores, North Yorkshire

Abbey Stores 

Moments away from Fountains Abbey, this characterful cottage has lots of original features. Sleeps two.

Your top three questions answered

Things to see and do at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden

Person looking at Fountains Abbey from de greys walk on a snowy day
Place
Place

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
Fountains Abbey in the snow
Article
Article

Things to do at Fountains Abbey 

The ruins of Fountains Abbey are truly something to behold. Discover what to see when you come face to face with some of the oldest abbey ruins in the country.

The Temple of Piety seen across the Moon and Half Crescent ponds at Studley Royal Water Garden, North Yorkshire
Article
Article

Things to do at Studley Royal 

The evocative ruins of the abbey are set beside the grounds of Studley Royal, a medieval deer park in Yorkshire. It was declared Yorkshire’s first World Heritage Site in 1986.

Herds of deer at Fountains Abbey in the autumn
Trail
Trail

Studley Royal deer park walk 

Yorkshire

Follow this circular route trail to marvel at the 300 wild deer that live within the Studley Royal deer park in North Yorkshire.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 3 (km: 4.8)
A couple exploring the grounds at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden, North Yorkshire
Trail
Trail

The Seven Bridges Valley walk 

Yorkshire

On this circular walk, you'll cross delightful arched bridges as you follow the meandering Skell river.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 3.8 (km: 6.08)
Fountains Abbey is aglow with lights from the East Green
Article
Article

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!

Exploring the area...

Woman and child walking through a formal water garden with a temple and trees in the distance
Area
Area

Yorkshire 

Discover the delights of Yorkshire including abbey ruins, magnificent houses and gardens, wild moorland and some fantastic stretches of coastline.

An autumnal afternoon stood in North Moor looking at Mushroom Rocks
Place
Place

Brimham Rocks 

Explore dramatic moorland rock formations

Harrogate, North Yorkshire

Fully open today
Bare branches of a tree in the foreground with cows grazing and red bricked hall in the distance
Place
Place

Beningbrough 

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

York, North Yorkshire

Fully open today
A walker on the footpath to Malham Cove
Place
Place

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