Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden

a snowy tree stump at Fountains Abbey

Important notice -

Closed Fridays from 5 Nov- Jan 28. Visitor Centre & Studley admissions Sat-Thu 10am-4pm. Car parks close 5:30pm. West Gate admissions closed 11/01-14/01. Studley tea-room is currently closed. For access via West Gate please pre-book on 01765 643160.

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

More about this place

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Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden

Things to see and do

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden   North Yorkshire

What to expect on your visit to Fountains Abbey

You no longer have to pre-book to visit Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal. We're following government guidelines and adapting our ways of working, so your visit to the site may still be a little different than you're used to. Please have a read through the information here and help us keep Fountains Abbey open safely for everyone to enjoy.

What do I need to know before I visit...
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Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden

What's on

A family explore the ruins of Fountains abbey
Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden   North Yorkshire

Winter adventures and half term fun

Pull on your woollies and welly boots for a sparkling winter walk. See spiders' webs glisten in the frost and hear the birds chattering at the bird hide. Find your own connection with nature and engage your senses through 900 years of history. Plus, see if you can spot the first signs of spring: snowdrops.

Winter adventures at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal

Upcoming events

See all events

Garden and abbey tour

Sat 22 Jan 2022
11:30-13:00
Fountains Abbey became the greatest folly of all when John Aislabie created his water garden at Studley Royal. See the abbey as the Georgians did on this guided tour.

Abbey tour

Sat 22 Jan 2022
13:30-14:30
If these walls could talk...unearth the monastic secrets of a great abbey and the daily routines of the monks who lived here on this guided tour.

50 Things: Watch a bird

Sat 29 Jan 2022
10:00-14:00
Pick up a free spotter card, chat to the Wildlife Team and make a pinecone bird feeder
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Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden

Our work

Photograph of a statue during summertime, in Studley Royal water Garden.

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal: 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.

River Skell runs alongside Fountains Abbey

The Skell Valley Project 

Following a successful bid for funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the National Trust and Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty are now in the delivery phase of the Skell Valley Project. The £2.5 million scheme will start later in 2021 and run to 2024.

The ruins of Fountains Abbey in North Yorkshire

Tracing Fountains Abbey’s past, present and future 

Discover the past, present and future of Fountains Abbey, as archaeologist Mark Newman takes us on a journey of his discoveries. From ancient floor tiles to monks graves and the new visitor centre at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden in North Yorkshire.

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Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden

Things to see and do

The Witcher at Fountains Abbey fire

Fountains Abbey on film 

With atmospheric ruins, acres of playful gardens and brooding buildings this vast World Heritage site has been used as a location for film and TV for decades. Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal has been transformed into the cellars of the Houses of Parliament, a setting for a regency scandal and a very secret garden.... twice! Find out more about what's been filmed here.

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Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden

Eating and shopping

Couple tucking into a burger at Fountains by Floodlight

Enjoy a tasty treat 

After an energetic walk or a short stroll why not enjoy a bite to eat with us. Our food hasn't travelled far and tastes all the better for it. Tuck into a scone, indulge in some cake or revive yourself with a hearty meal in the visitor centre restaurant.

A variety of autumn products including a throw, toiletries and a mug

Treat yourself in the shop 

Find delicious chutneys, unique teas and find fresh blooms in the plant centre as well as gifts and seasonal products in our visitor centre shop.

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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.

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