Light up your evenings at Fountains by Floodlight

Fountains by Floodlight is a feast for all your senses...

Explore the illuminated ruins of the abbey, and for the first year at Fountains by Floodlight, the garden statues and follies will be lit up, too. As you follow the trail of light to the garden, stop and look back. You'll be able to see the light dominating the night sky, shining up from the ruins. Find Fountains by Floodlight dates below. 

Listen to the choirs

Join in with the choirs at 7pm in the abbey cellarium. Is it a song you know? Blast it out and help them to fill the cellarium with song.

• Saturday 6 October - Ordsall Acappella Singers
• Saturday 13 October - Schola Cantorum of Giggleswick School
• Saturday 20 October - Vocalis & Kamerkoor Transparence
• Friday 26 October - Elysian Singers
• Saturday 27 October - The Cononley Singers
• Friday 2 November  - Ilkley Moornotes
• Saturday 3 November - Fisher Singers

Have an evening adventure with your family

Pick up a torch and come to explore the ruins under the stars. Play your biggest ever game of hide and seek in all the corners of the shadowy ruins - there's lots of places to hide.

You can dress up as a monk for the evening on a family abbey tour. Get into character, slip on a habit and step back in time to find out what it would’ve been like to be a monk at Fountains Abbey. If you’re lucky you might even catch a glimpse of the mysterious roving monk…

Fill your tummy

Mill Cafe will be open late so you can warm up with hot drinks and sweet treats. Or you can grab a scrummy hot pulled pork sandwich from the BBQ, and there’s burgers, sausages, soup and veggie options too.

Frequently asked questions

It's a really popular event so take a minute to read over these FAQs to get clued up on what's going on. 

What dates can I come to Fountains by Floodlight on?

• Saturday 6 October
• Saturday 13 October
• Saturday 20 October 
• Friday 26 October 
• Saturday 27 October
• Friday 2 November* 
• Saturday 3 November

*We are closed during the day of Friday 2 November but open from 5pm for Fountains by Floodlight.

How much is it to get in?

The estate is open as usual with normal admission from 10am-5pm but after 5pm entry prices are:

• Adult entry is £10
• Child entry is £5
• Members are free

What time does it start?

• Entry is between 5pm-8pm from the visitor centre and West Gate.
• The estate closes at 9pm so if you're in the garden you'll need to be making your way back to your car around 8.30pm.
• Please be aware that on Friday 2 November we are closed during the day but we will be open for Fountains by Floodlight in the evening.

Last entry is at 8pm and we won't be able to process any payments after this time. Please take this into account if you're travelling far for this event and leave in plenty of time.

Where can I park?

• You can park for free at the visitor centre, or for disabled space please use West Gate carpark.
• If it's been a lovely day our carparks can get very busy so please car share as much as possible. Keep an eye on our social media, linked below, to see if we have any updates on the car parking.

What can I do at Fountains by Floodlight?

• There's  a family tour at 5.30pm and a guided abbey tour at 6pm.
• The choirs will be singing between 7-8pm.
• Tuck into tasty food on the BBQ.
• Explore the floodlit ruins and walk down to the gardens to see the follies and statues lit up.

What do I need to bring?

• Please bring a head torch so you can see as you walk around.
• We recommend sturdy footwear for exploring in the dark on uneven ground.
• Warm clothes - it can get a bit chilly when you're standing listening to the choir.
• Your singing voice for joining in with the choir!

Can I get something to eat?

• Yes, you can tuck into a tasty pulled pork roll, sweet treats and rotiserie chicken. There will also be veggie options available.

Can I bring my dog?

• You're welcome to bring your dog but please keep it on a lead. You'll find drinking bowls at the visitor centre, West Gate and Mill Café.

Are there any other details that I may need to know?

• On some of the earlier Fountains by Floodlight dates, you may not see the abbey in full darkness until later in the evening.
• Snap away and take as many photos as you want to. We'd love to see them - you can share them with us using the links at the bottom of this page. Please note that drones are not allowed onsite.