Through the Kissing Gate

The Taj Mahal, The Great Wall of China, the Acropolis… all are World Heritage Sites — just like Studley Park and the Ruins of Fountains Abbey near Ripon in North Yorkshire. It may not conjure up the romance of the Taj or the might of the Great Wall but, trust us, this is an inspiring place. They say the devout monks who founded the now-ruined abbey were looking for a more simple existence here. Whether you’re seeking that, too, or just want to peek at the place they left behind, you’ll do well to make the most of a visit by slipping through the kissing gate into the campsite that's just next door.

Through the Kissing Gate is a 28-day campsite operating on selected spring and summer weekends: exactly the kind of lazy days that are set aside for visiting National Trust properties out in the countryside. As such, its location so close to Fountains Abbey makes it perfect for a weekend away – as long as you are keen on proper back-to-basics camping that is. This is a farm campsite that pops up with the simplest of facilities for campers with tents and campervans only.

The campsite occupies two fields in amongst miles of North Yorkshire farmland. One is set aside for camping with 20 pitches for tents and three for campervans, the other is where you’ll find the facilities. Campfires are allowed, dogs are welcome and you can park up next to your pitch. There’s a cold-water, under-cover washing-up sink in an open sided barn, a Porta-style loo or two (depending on how many are staying) and the simplest open-air shower cubicle we’ve seen. Yes, you have to warm your own water in a bucket over the campfire to use it. It’s refreshingly rustic and may not be for everyone — but outdoor enthusiasts will be keen and your kids will never forget it.

There are lovely walks in the surrounding countryside and Ripon, with its cathedral, museums, shops and cafes, is a short drive away. But the most obvious attraction is worth another mention: You won’t want to miss slipping through the kissing gate and along the public footpath to Studley Park and the Ruins of Fountains Abbey. You’ll find deer-filled parkland and elegant 18th-century riverside gardens which incorporate the ruined abbey — along with the all-important visitor highlights of a tearoom and restaurant. There are plenty of simple farm campsites out there, but not many this close to a World Heritage Site.