Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden
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![Looking over the half moon pond from Surprise view at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal.]()
Surprise View looks spectacular at the moment! -
![Red deer at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden, North Yorkshire]()
See fallow, sika and red deer in the park -
![A group of girls climbing on the rope bridge]()
Scramble, swing, slide and climb in the new play area -
![The Rustic Bridge over the River Skell]()
Get a great view of the water garden from The Rustic Bridge -
![A couple viewing the abbey ruins from afar]()
Take a walk along the river bank for atmospheric abbey views
Cistercian abbey, elegant Georgian water garden and medieval deer park
folly!
See extraordinary visual magic by internationally renowned artist Mat Collishaw. His works echo stories from the garden's past, creating beautiful illusions to trick your eyes.
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![The ruins of Fountains Abbey]()
The abbey
In 1132, 13 monks came here to start a simpler life. Over 400 years later, when Henry VIII demanded the closure of the Abbey, the monks left behind the most complete Cistercian abbey remains in the country.
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![The Temple of Piety at Studley Royal water garden]()
Our water garden
During the 18th-century John Aislabie had great plans to impress visitors to his Yorkshire estate and so turned the surrounding woods and valleys into the Georgian water gardens we see today.
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![Visitors exploring the follies in the water garden]()
Exploring further...
Discover our hidden gems including Fountains Mill built by the Cistercians in the 12th-century, it's one of the oldest buildings on the estate. We're also home to a deer park, church and grand hall.
