Name: The Sawley Arms
Address: Sawley Fountains Abbey, Ripon, GB

10/10

Exceptional

27 Jun 2026

Helen

Absolute gem of a place to stay. Gorgeous room with everything you need & so peaceful. The food was really good both for dinner & breakfast. We visited Fountains Abbey which was only 2 miles away. And we could do parkrun with plenty of time to get back before checkout & eat breakfast. Would love to return.

Partner

4/10

Poor

23 Jun 2026

Angela

Upon arrival the staff were very friendly, however things went down hill from there.
We were shown to room 1( Spa Gill ) which looked really nice on the website.
As we entered the room it looked nice and clean but the bed looked like the mattress was very thin and not quite what we expected.
The bottles of water which were complimentary were really warm on an extremely hot day. There was no fridge or safe in the room, but a sign saying valuables are left at your own risk! Not great when the rooms are on the ground floor.
The bed made a terrible noise every time you moved, so we hardly slept at all.
The bed and mattress are not great quality and seem very old, and we thought needed replacing.
The bedding was poor quality as were the pillows.
The bathroom was very nice, but we hardly slept due to the bed.
We would not recommend this room unless they changed the bed and mattress.
We were advised that the bed just needed tightening up, but I fail to see how this would make any difference and seemed like a good excuse.
This is not good value for money, as the very least you expect is a good nights sleep.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

15 Jun 2026

Sylvia

Amazing staff here who really do their job well
Lovely room with everything you could possibly need
Great breakfast
Thankyou

Partner

8/10

Excellent

21 May 2026

Joan

There wasn’t much variety in the menu and the specials were the same over the three days. Also we thought it was a little expensive. I thought it was b & b only to find out when we arrived it wasn’t.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

08 Nov 2025

Simon

Room was very good. Rather warm, but turning the radiators off and opening the windows sorted that out. A very pleasant stay with the breakfast a 6 mile walk and a light lunch in the pub.

10/10

Exceptional

21 Sep 2025

Gregory

Comfortable beds and lovely room. Would have explored more around the area but for a thunderstorm. Highly recommended.

Leisure Partner

2/10

Poor

18 Sep 2025

Antony

Bad night’s sleep

Very poor night’s sleep. The room above us had very creaky floorboards. Our bathroom had a fan that set itself off every 20 minutes throughout the night. I raised both these issues via an email to the hotel which went unanswered. Not what I would expect for the amount we paid.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

23 Aug 2025

Carole

Sawley Arms

A slight blip with a power cut but the staff couldn’t have been more on the ball and all was soon sorted The rooms were very well appointed and very clean. The staff were friendly, helpful and efficient and the breakfast was excellent. Would certainly revisit and can reccomend

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

01 Aug 2025

Colleen

Pricey, but lovely location and grounds.

Our second stay here in the same room.

The location is very peaceful and rural and the hotel is well located for trips to Ripon, The Forbidden Corner, Fountains Abbey and Deer Park, Grantly Hall and Brimham Rocks.

The beer garden is lovely and parking very near to our room was really convenient. The beds were very comfortable and the bathroom and shower modern and spotless.

What prevented a five star rating was the room had an adjoining door and the guest in the next bedroom snored. In addition there was a lot of pacing about in the room upstairs the next morning ( maybe staff remaking the room?) and the ceiling was creaky. Also, for the price of the overnight accommodation, without breakfast included, we would have appreciated ceramic coffee/ tea mugs rather than plastic.

These points, however, would not stop us from returning here.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

21 May 2025

William

Lovely country pub with good beer and food in a small, quiet village. Nice, well kept garden with seating. Excellent room, a good size and very well appointed with a nice bathroom. Highly recommended.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

27 Apr 2025

Colin

Fantastic location to stay over

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

21 Dec 2024

John

This is a relaxed small hotel - a bit like a guest house / hotel with good dining and bar for locals. Sawley is very convenient for Fountains Abbey but isolated - a car is essential. The Spanish chef was very good, as was the room andvthe staff attentive

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

18 Nov 2024

Richard

Me and my Wife time

Fantastic place to stay But with some issues in my mind Room was very clean and comfortable with some very modern touches Then spoiled by plastic cups only two small biscuits very small tv then having to pay for breakfast I would expect a room at £178 would include breakfast
Staff were very nice
Parking handy for rooms

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

10 Nov 2024

Keeley

The rooms were exceptional, wonderful staff and a gem of a country pub, highly recommended

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

01 Aug 2024

Colleen

Best night’s sleep in a long time!

Modern, spotlessly clean accommodation and super- comfy beds! There was even a TV in the bathroom! Lovely country pub and beer garden. Restaurant a bit on the expensive side, but the quality and presentation of the food was really good. The take away fish and chips were half the price of the eat in and were delicious. Would definitely stay here again without hesitation.

10/10

Exceptional

23 Jul 2024

CARON

Such a really cosy well run pub with lovely rooms and amazing staff.

10/10

Exceptional

07 Apr 2024

Sandra

We had a great one night stay. The room was clean, very modern and with high quality finish. Our daughter loved the high sleeper bed which was very safe.
Convenient location for Brimham Rocks and Fountains Abbey.
Plenty of parking onsite.
We had a great dinner in the pub and our breakfast was delicious too.
Friendly staff, would definitely stay again.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

17 Feb 2024

Peter

Potential- room for improvement.

Stayed for five nights in an excellent room - first rate facilities, esp bathroom. Slight criticism: bed linen and towels unappealing colour and towels rather thin.
Pub warm and comfortable, very friendly, staff helpful, excellent breakfasts. Dined in twice. Appreciated the special offer on steak night but winter menu otherwise rather dull, limited and overpriced. Over all an enjoyable stay but not outstanding value for money.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

24 Oct 2023

Lyn

Tanya, Estelle, Tim and the Scouse supporter were so friendly and helpful. The accommodation was immaculately clean and well maintained. Food was lovely and reasonably priced. We definitely plan to revisit soon. The only improvement I would suggest is to have ironing facilities in the room for guest”s convenience. Thanks to all for such a great stay!

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

01 Oct 2023

Stephen

Lovely staff, great rooms recently done, beautiful area

10/10

Exceptional

27 Sep 2023

Lee

Extremely attentive staff and a great night sleep!!

Business

8/10

Excellent

30 Aug 2023

Jason

We had a lovely one night stay. Sure, the walls are a bit thin but it really didn't bother us.

It's the food that gets the rave reviews. You know when your eyes water with satisfaction and contentment....that!

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

28 Aug 2023

Ruth

Good place but a bit overpriced we thought

10/10

Exceptional

20 Jul 2023

henry

Good size room immaculate with beautiful bathroom and fabulous breakfast.

Leisure Partner

6/10

Pleasant

16 Jul 2023

steve

The Sawley Arms is a nice place.The facilities are good and the staff are polite.The thing that soured it for us was being told on arrival that because we hadn't booked direct, breakfast was not included and would be £14 per person.My wife only has cereal and tea for breakfast but there was no reduction in price.
The extra charge should be made clear at time of booking by either Expedia or The Sawley Arms.It seems to me that the customer is being penalised for booking through Expedia.
If you want to list on 3rd party sites then don't try and pass the cost on to the customer.
We didn't have breakfast!

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

08 Jul 2023

Christine

Excellent break

We had a 2 night stay, the staff, service and accommodation were to a very high standard. Everyone was very welcoming. The accommodation was spotlessly clean and tidy and very comfortable. Loved the lighting in the room. Also the bar/restaurant service was very good and the food was excellent We would recommend this hotel and will definitely return there.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

08 Jul 2023

Rich

Lovely place to stay and all the staff are so helpful and friendly.
A little too much noise between the guest rooms and the window blinds could be improved but otherwise a perfect place to stay while enjoying the beautiful surroundings near Ripon.

Business_and_leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

05 Jul 2023

Verified traveler

Sunday stay in Sawley

I love this pub, the food is great and the rooms are lovely and so modern. We stayed to be near work which was great. It was quiet, but it was a Sunday evening.
I think some training is needed with the young staff - no need to say help yourself to wine I’m no sommelier!
The man with his father was very helpful and friendly.

Business

10/10

Exceptional

03 Jun 2023

Wendy

Good staff especially helpful especial jenny

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

31 May 2023

Mohammed

Everything was nice, clean and modern. Lovely staffs 10/10. Only issuse I didn't like was that the Bunkbed Room had no kettle and space at all felt very confined, especially for the kids, but they did play around the back which had a lovely green grass garden which made up for the none space room. Thanks Tracy.

Leisure Family_with_children

8/10

Excellent

10 Apr 2023

Stephen

The breakfast was excellent, adequate choices and decent portions. The room was too 'bling' for our liking!

10/10

Exceptional

27 Mar 2023

Dayle

The rooms were really lovely and the staff were exceptional especially Tracy who collected us from Grantly Hall

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

01 Mar 2023

Verified traveler

Well appointed, very comfortable, good food and drink, delightful ambience and excellent service.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

21 Feb 2023

Verified traveler

Staff very friendly and helpful. The food was lovely and plentiful. Our room was very clean and comfortable. Would definitely return

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

21 Jan 2023

David T

Country gem.

This is a wonderful little country pub and hotel. The staff were super friendly, it’s spotlessly clean and we had the best breakfast ever. We’ll definately be back.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

16 Sep 2022

Dianne

A gem in yorkshire

The Sawley Arms was a gem in the countryside

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

30 Aug 2022

Andrew

Amazing!!!

Stayed for 2 nights over the bank holiday.

Cannot say enough positive things about this place, we were a family of 4 and the rooms were perfect.

The staff, especially Estelle ( I think this was her name) literally could not do enough for you.

Dinner and breakfast were fantastic and the overall cleanliness of the place was the best I’ve ever seen.

Great place in a great location with amazing staff

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

22 Jun 2022

Peter

Staff were all very welcoming and friendly and the food was excellent.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

20 May 2022

Mark

Absolute Gem

From the moment we arrived we were made so welcome with such friendly helpful staff we knew it was going to be good. The main building is essentially a traditional pub with several area for dining. The rooms are very modern, well designed, exceptionally clean and comfortable. An outside space to sit in the sunshine was a bonus. Well equipped bathroom and the room itself lacked for nothing. We ate at the Sawley Arms for three nights and enjoyed hearty meals with something to suit us every night. The staff at our meals were excellent with prompt service and extremely friendly. The prices are very reasonable including drinks. Breakfasts were all you needed for an active day and served in a relaxed and friendly way.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

11 Apr 2022

Verified traveler

Lovely stay

Thoroughly enjoyed our stay here. The staff were very friendly and welcoming.

The food was amazing, we ate an evening meal and breakfast. If i was to be picky the only thing that let it down was margarine on the bacon sandwich, it was all i could taste. My partner thoroughly enjoyed his full English.

The room was freshly done out to a high standard. Again the only things to let it down were the extremely soft mattress which resulted in a awful nights sleep and a bad back in the morning and The plastic camping cups, cup of tea didn't taste great in those! A thinner duvet with a choice of blankets would have been better too as it was very warm in our room.

As i say only a few minor things let it down, but we did have a lovely time!

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

20 Mar 2022

Judy

Great welcome, beautiful room and well kept ales. The food was first rate, if a little expensive. Would definitely stay here again.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

09 Dec 2021

Matthew

Room was spotless and comfortable. Staff were incredibly helpful. Hope we can return very soon.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

21 Nov 2021

Alex

Lovely room 5. Gorgeous modern bathroom with molton brown toiletries. Comfortable bed.
Slightly unusual blue or white lighting but generally very good.
Would recommend.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

31 Oct 2021

Chris

Sawley Arms

Excellent helpful team, chef sat with us to design a gluten free evening meal, which was really great and much appreciated, a great place to getaway too

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

31 Oct 2021

Verified traveler

We loved everything
The setting was great , log burners on in the bar/restaurant
Excellent staff
Excellent luxury room , bathroom was amazing
Evening meal was brilliant , excellent chef
Looking forward to breakfast

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

24 Sep 2021

Elaine

Beautiful room, amazing food and staff very friendly.

10/10

Exceptional

17 Sep 2021

June

Perfect

We had a brilliant stay, beautiful room, with a large shower room. Patio doors out to a seated area. Food also very very good.