Discover folly! at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden

Discover four interactive new art installations in this iconic World Heritage Site this summer. Explore the water garden as it was originally created; a playful water garden with dramatic views that criss-cross the landscape.

Bring your family along to dance under the Cloud

Enjoy the summer vista from Surprise View

Enjoy a new view of the garden by looking into the Gazing Ball

What can you hear when you press your ear against the Listening Tower?

folly 2018 celebrates the lost follies of Studley Royal

What is folly! 2018?

Striking, surprising, entertaining and unusual... folly! 2018 is a feast for the eyes with four new outdoor works adorning the views of this World Heritage Site.

Join the folly! family trail and let your creativity run wild!

folly! art in the garden family trail

There's art in the garden but it's not paintings, and it's not in a gallery...The artworks are in the garden and they're just for fun - we call them follies. Use this map to explore!

Family looking at Folly! artwork in the Banqueting House — Eye-popping artwork in the Banqueting House

folly! 2016

Featuring work by artist Mat Collishaw, one of the UK’s most thought provoking contemporary artists, two new installations were co-commissioned with London Gallery Blain|Southern to play with your senses and trick your eyes!

Surprise your eyes with Folly! at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal

folly! 2015

Visitors who peered inside the Octagon Tower, Temple of Piety and the Banqueting House in folly! 2015 were surprised to find extraordinary installations created by artists to re-animate these fanciful garden follies.

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folly! Art in the garden trail

Pick up a map to explore the follies and let your creativity run wild!

Wed 24 Oct 2018

+ 11 other dates

10:00-17:00

folly! 2018

Surprising, intriguing and extraordinary... See the lost follies of the water garden re-imagined by artists and architects.

Wed 24 Oct 2018

+ 11 other dates

10:00-17:00

Abbey & water garden tour

A tale of two parts, delve deeper into this World Heritage Site on a guided tour.

Wed 24 Oct 2018

+ 7 other dates

11:00-15:00

Fountains by Floodlight

Experience something truly special as you explore the illuminated ruins of Fountains Abbey and marvel at the water garden follies aglow. There are extra Friday dates for you to enjoy, too!

Fri 26 Oct 2018

+ 3 other dates

17:00-21:00

Apple juicing

Watch our heritage English apple harvest being turned into juice, and sample the delicious results.

Sat 27 Oct 2018

11:00-15:00

Children's craft at Swanley Grange

Be inspired by the bright colours and illustrations used in medieval illuminated manuscripts to create your own decorated bookmark.

Sat 27 Oct 2018

+ 7 other dates

11:00-16:00

Illuminated writing workshop

Drop in this led workshop to have a go using a quill and ink to create colourful and vibrant illuminated writing.

Tue 30 Oct 2018

+ 2 other dates

11:00-15:00

Natural dye at Swanley Grange

Come along to watch this natural wool dyeing process, which has more than a hint of magic and alchemy about it.

Sat 03 Nov 2018

+ 1 other date

11:00-16:00

Autumn deer watch

Come and experience one of the season's most spectacular sights on this guided walk through the medieval deer park.

Sat 03 Nov 2018

13:00-15:00

Autumn drive through

Experience the spectacular views of the abbey and water gardens lit up against the night sky from the comfort of your car.

Sun 04 Nov 2018

18:00-20:00

Winter bird walk

Discover which feathered friends are calling Fountains Abbey their home this winter.

Sat 17 Nov 2018

11:00-12:30

Preserving at Swanley Grange

Come and experience the medieval way of preserving food and taste the results.

Sat 17 Nov 2018

11:00-15:00

The Nativity trail

Follow the stars to discover scenes of the nativity by the abbey and in the garden.

Sat 24 Nov 2018

+ 39 other dates

10:00-16:00

1930s Christmas at Fountains Hall

Discover what Christmas would be like in the 1930s at Fountains Hall this festive season.

Sat 24 Nov 2018

+ 37 other dates

10:00-16:00

Father Christmas Grotto

What’s that sound? It’s the jingle of reindeer bells – Father Christmas is touching down at Fountains Abbey this year and he comes bearing gifts.

Sat 24 Nov 2018

+ 9 other dates

11:00-15:00

Children's craft at Swanley Grange

Get in the festive spirit making your own wonderfully woolly star decoration.

Sat 24 Nov 2018

+ 21 other dates

11:00-16:00

Music and Lights

Here at Fountains we're getting into the Christmas spirit and have just the thing to enjoy on a chilly winter weekend: glowing lights, festive music and delicious food and drink. Come and join us!

Sat 24 Nov 2018

+ 8 other dates

14:00-15:00