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. 

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.