Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden

Family throwing leaves in front of Fountains Abbey

Important notice -

If you’re using any of our facilities such as our car park, café and toilets, tickets for entry must be booked ahead of your visit. We anticipate a busy couple of weeks and can't offer admission on the day. Please do not travel here without booking.

Ancient abbey ruins and an awe-inspiring water garden at this World Heritage Site

Please book ahead before visiting Check availability

More about this place

Adults and two children taking an autumn walk amongst the trees

Which places are open and what you need to know before you visit 

More than 100 gardens and parks and hundreds of coast and countryside places are open in England and Northern Ireland. Many historic houses are open in England. To avoid disappointment please book in advance, especially at weekends and school holidays. In line with Welsh Government legislation, all places in Wales will close from 24 October to 9 November. Please check the property webpage of the place you wish to visit before you travel. Read this article to find out how to book and what to expect from your visit.

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Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden

What's on

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden   North Yorkshire

Please book ahead before visiting

The abbey, water garden, play area, and visitor centre car park, shop, restaurant and toilet facilities at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal are open. We've introduced a booking system to keep everyone safe and maintain social distancing. To avoid disappointment please book in advance, especially at busier times such as weekends, school holidays and bank holidays. However, where space is available on weekdays, pre-booking may not always be necessary.

Book now

What to do this autumn

Fountains Abbey lit by floodlights

Fountains by Floodlight 

October means one thing at Fountains Abbey: Fountains by Floodlight. See the ruins glowing against the night sky and tuck into a range of tasty hot food. Enjoy a spectacular after-dark experience with friends and family.

Boy and girl climbing in the play area at Fountains Abbey

Discover the play area 

Wondering what to do with the kids while in Yorkshire? Keep them entertained for hours at the large play area at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal. There’s a huge area bursting with fun and challenges for all abilities and room for plenty of imagination too. Find out what you can do at the play area and more about the facilities available here.

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal from Surprise View

Yorkshire autumn colour gardens 

As the colours change in Yorkshire, go on a refreshing walk through colourful gardens at Studley Royal, or have a more gentle stroll through autumn parks and gardens at places we care for like Wentworth Castle.

Upcoming events

See all events

Timed entry to Fountains Abbey (19 Oct - 25 Oct)

Sun 25 Oct 2020
11:00-11:30
Book your timed entry to visit Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden.

Timed entry to Fountains Abbey (26 Oct - 1 Nov)

Mon 26 Oct 2020
10:00-10:30
Book your timed entry to visit Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden.
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Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden

Things to see and do

Couple walking at Fountains Abbey in North Yorkshire

Explore the abbey 

The dramatic abbey ruins at Fountains are the largest monastic ruins in the country. Step back into a rich and dramatic past and imagine what life would have been like for the monks who first came here all those years ago.

The abbey
Woman looking over a wintery Studley Royal water garden

What can you do in the water garden? 

You've explored the abbey and now it's time for the water garden. Designed in the 18th century these gardens hold a place on the world stage, granted World Heritage Status in 1986. Find out what you can do on your visit here.

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Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden

Eating and shopping

A member of staff serving a cup of coffee

Grab a bite to eat

Our visitor centre restaurant is open with indoor seating and will initially be serving a reduced menu. The restaurant is open every day. The Mill Café kiosk is also open 12 – 3.30pm daily, serving ice creams and cold drinks. We’ve introduced new safety measures including closure of our seating areas, screens at our till and collection points, and waymarked routes. We’ll also only be accepting card payment. We look forward to welcoming you back and know that you’ll support us to make this a safe experience for everyone.

A selection of gardening tools and accessories displayed against a brick wall.

Stop off at our shop

Our visitor centre shop is reopening from 13 July. If you would like to visit the shop, you will need to pre-book a ticket to visit the estate. For the safety of staff and visitors we've introduced social distancing measures and changes to payment, which will be via card only. It is through your purchases that we are able to continue looking after Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal for everyone, for ever.

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Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden

Our work

Mother and daughter in front of Fountains Abbey

Dedicate a donation 

Support Fountains Abbey by dedicating a donation to someone special and add your precious memories to our interactive map. A unique way to remember a loved one or celebrate a special occasion, your donation will help us care for Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal water garden (including Studley Royal deer park) for years to come.

Laying the facing stone over the concrete supporting blocks

Our Conservation Work 

Managing the impact of flooding, adapting to climate change, conservation work, sharing the stories of this amazing place are all key priorities in the work we do. Here are some of the projects that have been going on.

The Dying Gladiator statue in place at Studley Royal water garden

We're a World Heritage Site 

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal sits on the world stage. The 18th-century water garden, incorporating some of the largest Cistercian abbey ruins in Europe achieved the status of a World Heritage Site. Find out what exactly a World Heritage Site is and how that impacts the work we do.

Volunteers helping to install Folly at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal

Get involved 

Our volunteers are so important in helping us look after Fountains Abbey. From mucking in at the bird hide to leading tours for visitors, we'll match your skills to our available roles so you can get involved.

Diagram of the proposed Studley renovation

Changing Studley 

This year we're excited to announce our vision for new project 'Studley' where we're aiming to improve the Studley Royal entry to this World Heritage Site.

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Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden

History

Details of three portraits

Addressing the National Trust's colonial links 

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal water garden, along with a number of other places and collections in our care, has direct links to colonialism. Learn more about what we are doing to address the histories of slavery and colonialism at our places.

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Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden

Places to stay

A view of Fountains Hall in summer

Holiday at Fountains Abbey 

From a mini-break to a family holiday or a group getaway in the great outdoors with the best of Yorkshire on your doorstep, stay in a Fountains Abbey holiday home this year.

Cyclists in summer

Spend a weekend in North Yorkshire 

It's not surprising if you've felt the lure of North Yorkshire's charms for it's truly God's own country. It's a walker's haven with rambling trails crossing the countryside, and the undulated roads are simply made for cycling.

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© National Trust Registered Charity 205846 Heelis, Kemble Drive, Swindon SN2 2NA

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