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Group and school visits to Fountains Abbey

A group of people walking and laughing together at Lyme Park in Cheshire
Groups can spend a few hours or a full day here at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal | © National Trust Images/Megan Taylor

Groups of all sizes are welcome at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, whether you’re planning a school trip or a group tour to explore this truly special UNESCO World Heritage Site. Find out about the benefits of booking a group visit, the educational activities on offer for all ages, and how to book.

Group visits to Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal

Pre-book a group visit and find out what makes Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal so special. The estate is open all year and your visit can last from a few hours to a full day. Discounts apply to groups of 14+.

Group benefits

By making a group booking you’ll be able to take advantage of the following benefits:

  • Complimentary admission voucher for your familiarisation visit
  • Free entry for your tour leader and driver on the day of your group visit
  • Reduced admission price for your group of more than 14 people when booked in advance
  • Free parking at the visitor centre
  • Refreshment voucher for your driver

Guided tours

Our guided tours bring this remarkable place to life with fascinating facts and stories, taking you on a journey through 800 years of history. We can also arrange specialist and foreign-language tours. All guided tours must be pre-booked.

Eating with your group

Our licensed visitor centre restaurant has seating for over 150 people.

You can choose from a variety of refreshments including hot meals made using local seasonal produce.

Prices

For groups of up to 13 visitors standard admission applies.

For groups for 14+ visitors, adult entry price is £18.05 and child entry price is £9.03.

Get in touch about bringing a group to Fountains Abbey

All group visits need to be pre-booked to receive group rates. To find out more about group visits or to make a booking, phone us on 01765 608888 or email fountainsabbey@nationaltrust.org.uk.

Free familiarisation visits for group leaders

If you're planning a group visit you can request our free Travel Trade Pass and you and a friend or colleague will gain free entry to over 300 of our places throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland for 12 months. There’s nothing quite like seeing or experiencing somewhere for yourself to help you plan a successful visit. To receive your pass, call 0344 800 2329 or email us at NTTravelTrade@capita.co.uk.

Why do group visits need to be pre-booked?

Fountains is a very busy property for groups and we want to do our best to make sure your visit runs as smoothly as possible. Without pre-booking, unfortunately we can't guarantee we'll be able to accommodate your group as we have limited coach parking and our admissions teams make special arrangements to allow for group visits before we open each day.

a boy den building at Fountains Abbey
School visits to Fountains Abbey are packed full of learning, adventures in nature and fun! | © J Shepherd

Who is eligible for free entry?

Registered tourist board guides (on production of a valid badge), coach drivers and tour leaders escorting groups of 15 or more. National Trust members also receive free entry, so it is at your discretion whether to refund the entrance fee to members if you have included it in your package – this is not refunded by the National Trust.

Members must bring their current membership cards with them to avoid paying the full group rate. If any of your group would like to join the National Trust please direct them to our Membership page or call 0344 800 1895.

Education visits to Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden is a perfect learning destination where you can inspire, explore and create. Book a self-led school, college or university visit and get stuck into history, science and art around the extensive grounds at this unique UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Please note: booking is essential even with an Educational Group Access Pass.

What we offer primary schools

Let the wide-open spaces capture students’ imaginations as they learn about the estate’s rich history through art, acting and nature. By taking the classroom outdoors, students can explore in a friendly and inspirational environment.

Find out what it was like to be a monk at Fountains Abbey on this self-led tour.

What we offer secondary schools

Bring education to life at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal. Entice your pupils to learn about history, science and art on a site that's been influenced heavily by all three.

Get in touch about bringing a school, college, or university group to Fountains Abbey

If you'd like to know more about educational visits to Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, call us on 01765 608888 or email fountainsabbey@nationaltrust.org.uk to discuss the options available and to book.

Schools can benefit from an Educational Group Access Pass, which gives the whole group free admission and parking at most of the places in our care for a year.

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