West Gate Car Park (Fountains Abbey)

Fountains Abbey is a soul-stirring blend of history, nature, and architectural drama—an absolute must, Graham. Nestled near Ripon, it’s one of the largest and best-preserved Cistercian monasteries in England, and part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site alongside the Studley Royal Water Garden. Here’s why it’s exceptional: • 🏰 Monastic Majesty: Founded in 1132, the abbey’s hauntingly beautiful ruins evoke centuries of devotion, resilience, and artistry. • 🌊 Studley Royal Water Garden: An 18th-century landscaped masterpiece with mirror-like canals, classical statues, and whimsical follies—designed to impress and inspire. • 🦌 Deer Park Serenity: Wander through ancient lime avenues and spot red, fallow, and sika deer roaming freely. • 🧭 Immersive Experience: With audio guides, adventure playgrounds, and scenic walking trails, it’s both reflective and family-friendly. • 🏡 Stay in Style: You can even book a holiday cottage on-site, including a waterside lodge or an apartment in Jacobean Fountains Hall. It’s a place where legacy whispers through stone and water—a fitting metaphor for your own journey. You can explore more on the National Trust site. Would you like help weaving this into a personal itinerary or legacy reflection?

Second visit in 4 months and had another great day. We saw much more of the site as we had booked a electric scooter so were able to access much more. Very busy but wonderful. Fountains Abbey .

this car park is solely for the use of disabled people visiting Fountains abbey its located adjacent to the entrance to they abbey and its grounds. the car park is fairly large with enough spaces for around 30 cars and has an information bored and a pay and display machine iam unsure of the cost of parking as iam a national trust membership holder and for me parking was free but im sure it is minimal. the car park is a gravel road but i would assume it would be quite easy to push a wheel chair across it .

This is the disabled parking for Fountains Abbey and the surface isn't very easy to navigate, neither is it particularly easy to find because it isn't well signposted from the main entrance. I wouldn't use it again because it is a long way from the main visitors entrance where the cafe and shops are situated so to get something to eat other than cake and drinks one has to navigate a steep hill.

Fountains is a great place and we use this car park often. My gripe is that 50% of the spaces are for disabled visitors and when you park up almost all of them are empty. If they doubled up some as parent and child it could work quite well. Also benches and bins in the car park would be great. Many times people have had a picnic and left their rubbish everywhere.