Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden

Fountains Abbey

In 1132, 13 monks came here to live a simpler life. Over 400 years later, when Henry VIII demanded the closure of the Abbey, the monks left behind what has now become the most complete Cistercian abbey remains in the country.

Studley Royal Water Garden

In the early 18th century, John Aislabie had great plans to impress visitors to his Yorkshire estate and turned the wild and wooded valley of the river Skell into one of England's most spectacular Georgian water gardens.

© Richard Jemison

Fountains Hall

Sir Stephen Proctor built this elegant mansion as his country home in the early 17th century. It was built partly with stone from the ruined Abbey. Today you can stay in one of the flats in the hall - or even get married here.

© Kippa Matthews

Fountains Mill

Built by the Cistercians in the 12th century to grind grain for the abbey, Fountains Mill survived the closure of the religious house and continued to mill up to 1927. Now you'll find a hands-on exhibition inside and be able to have a go at grinding corn.

St Mary's Church

The religious fervour of the Victorians is displayed in the richly decorated high Gothic church designed by William Burges.

© Brian Hurst

The Deer Park

Studley Royal is ancient pasture woodland, dating back to the late Middle Ages, and today is home to over 500 red, fallow and Sika deer.

© Ainley Bisby

Porter's Lodge

Discover the history of the Abbey in the Porter's Lodge exhibition.

© Jen Taylor