Deer park walk
Our deer ranger has picked this walk as one of his favourites within the park. As you follow the circular route, look out for some of the 300 wild deer that live here.
Can you spot the difference between the three types of deer?
Please take extra care during the months of October and November when the annual mating season - deer rut - takes place. Ensure you keep your distance and have dogs on a short lead at all times.
Map
Start:
Fountains Abbey Visitor Centre, grid ref: SE272687
1
From the visitor centre car park, head for the mini roundabout and turn right along the bridle path that runs alongside the estate drive towards St Mary's Church. Turn right through a gate, looking out for the obelisk, and walk along the tarmac drive until you reach the church.
2
Just before reaching the church turn left onto a mown path in the grass and follow the boundary wall until you reach the grand stable block of Studley Royal House, now a private residence.
Studley Royal House
The house began life as the manor house of the medieval village of Studley Magna, then underwent many alterations. In the 1750s, William Aislabie remodelled the façade to a fashionable neoclassical front. A century later, the Marquis of Ripon renovated the house again and laid out formal gardens in the 1860s. The house burned down in 1946, sadly. The impressive stable block is all that remains today.
3
Walk past the house and turn right, walking along with the house on your right until you reach a tarmac drive. Cross over the drive and head down the slope, looking out for a stone bridge. Cross the bridge and follow a line of oak trees, passing the old head gardener's house and cottages that once belonged to estate workers.
Rough Bridge
This large gritstone and limestone rubble bridge carried the track from Studley Royal House to Wheatbriggs House, the old head gardener's house, on the other side of the parkland. We know that it dates from the mid-18th century but do not know if it was John or William Aislabie who ordered its construction.
4
Turn right along the boundary wall and continue along until you reach the public right of way marker. Turn right here and follow the path back up through the deer park alongside the estate drive. The track will take you back to pass in front of St Mary's Church.
Deer in the parkland
There are three species of deer living on the estate: red, fallow and sika. The red are the largest and the stags have impressive pointed antlers. Fallow bucks have flat, palmate antlers and are a tan colour with white spots. Sika deer are the only non-native species in the park and are generally smaller than the red and fallow deer. They also have white spots so it can be difficult to tell them apart from the fallows from a distance.
5
Pass through the gate and turn left, retracing your steps for the final part of the walk towards the visitor centre.
End:
Fountains Abbey Visitor Centre, grid ref: SE272687
