Covered Water Tank Approximately 20 Metres West Of Low Kettlespring Farmhouse

The covered water tank, located approximately 20 metres west of Low Kettlespring Farmhouse, is likely from the late 18th century to early 19th century and was built for Sir John or Sir William Ingilby, with later alterations in the 19th and 20th centuries. Constructed from coursed squared gritstone, it features a corrugated asbestos roof and measures about 3 by 5 metres, partly built below ground on a hillside. The building has quoins and a small segmental-arched doorway on the east gable end, which is accented by a projecting band at eaves level; above this doorway is a rectangular opening.

Inside, the structure is divided into two halves by a two-bay arcade supported by Tuscan columns, which hold up a solid plastered cross-wall on segmental arches. The tank is filled with water to a depth of approximately 2 metres, just below the capitals of the columns, and there is said to be a submerged flight of stone steps against the west gable wall. The interior is lined with puddled clay, and it has been relined with black polythene, with electric pumping machinery added during the time of the last survey. Traditionally, this building is thought to be the site of a monk's bathing house belonging to Fountains Abbey. The current structure seems to date from the same period as the rebuilding work at Ripley Castle and village, and it continues to serve as a water supply.