West Gate Lodge

Ripon, North Yorkshire

West Gate Lodge was built around 1859 by the Marquess of Ripon using stone from the nearby atmospheric Fountain 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 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 artists materials and easel waiting in the cottage, perfect for painting the Abbey at sunset.  For the more energetic, 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 AONB, Brimham Rocks and Beningbrough Hall.  If to you no holiday would be complete without a trip to the coast, Whitby and Robin Hood’s Bay are both within an easy driving distance.