Festive feelings at Fountains

It's the time of year when holly berries dot the trees and frosts blanket the grounds. Layer up and come together to relax, unwind and embrace this festive time of year at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal for a day out you'll remember forever. 

Christmas starts here...

Christmas is seeing the abbey glow...

Music and Lights, weekends 20 Nov - 3 Jan.

Lights only on certain dates, tbc.

On Sunday 6 December and Sunday 13 December, there will be the Carols by Candlelight service rather than the choir.

2-4pm.

Lit up with all the colours of the rainbow on weekends throughout December, the abbey is a sight to see. Walk beneath the cellarium's vaulted ceilings, under the grand columns of the nave and listen to the choir or band as they fill the ruins with festive music. Join in if you know the tune!

The choirs and bands will be confirmed closer to the time.

Fill the cellarium with song

Sunday 6 and 13 December, 3-3.45pm

Take part in Carols by Candlelight, a service that has now become truly part of the Fountains Abbey Christmas experience. Add your singing voice and candle light to hundreds of others as we come together to belt out a selection of favourite. There's mulled wine and mince pies to tuck into, too. 

Christmas is winter wanders in the water garden

Wrap up to have a walk through the winter water garden. Head up to the High Ride path and see if you can catch some of the crisp December light. The trees may be bare but that means you can see all the way out to the deer park and St Mary's Church.

If you're feeling adventurous wrap up snug and warm and exploree the medieval deer park. See if you can spot the deer - don't worry if not as you can find them at St Mary's Church for their mid-day feed through winter.

On the hoof

Dates to be confirmed for 2020 

11.30am-12.30pm

Trot along to St Mary's Church to see the deer having their winter feed.

Mulled wine and mince pies

Catching up over a mulled wine on a crisp winter's day beats the pinging of a phone message any day. Sit down and have a natter with your favourites.

See how many mince pies or Christmas scones you can eat! You'll be hard pushed to stop nibbling at these tasty treats. Try them out with a steaming cup of tea or coffee in the visitor centre restaurant. Or pop into Mill Café by the abbey for a light bite or warm drink with a view over the abbey.

Treat yourself in the shop

Have you seen our shop at the visitor centre yet? If not, pop in to say hello and to see the range of seasonal homewares, books and Christmas treats that deck the shelves.

Whether you find the perfect Christmas gift for your loved ones or a little something for the stocking, you know you can feel good about buying it here as the money you spend goes straight back into looking after Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal.