The deer at Studley Royal

Red deer in the Deer Park at Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal — You'll see red, fallow and sika deer as you explore the deer park

Studley Royal deer park is home to three different types of deer. During certain times of the year we need the help of our visitors to care for these special creatures. To see what you can do to help and to learn more about the deer that we care for here read on...

To see what you can do to help and to learn more about the deer that we care for here read on...

Visiting the Studley deer park at Fountains abbey

It’s a special time in the Studley deer park as the deer start to have their young. If you’re planning a visit over the next few months, please have a read through this guidence so you can help us look after the deer during this vulnerable time.

Please don’t get too close

We know they look sweet and it’s tempting to snap a photo up close, but a female deer will be able to smell your scent on her baby and it may cause her to abandon her young. Please keep a minimum of 30 meters away.

Don’t worry if you spot a baby deer on its own

The young fawns are often left alone in a safe place by the females during the day. If you’re really concerned please give the estate office a call and our ranger team will come and do a welfare check.

Always keep dogs on a short lead

Dogs must always be on a lead here at Studley, no matter the time of year. New mums or expecting deer are particularly nervous of even the waggiest of tails.

Keep to the paved or mown grass paths

Long grass and quiet places are perfect ‘safe spots’ for baby deer to be hiding. Keep them safe by sticking to the paths.

Thank you for your help looking after the Studley deer.

Meet the three types of deer in the Studley deer Park

Red deer

These are the largest in Studley Royal park. They’re indigenous to the UK and are usually a dark reddish brown. The male is called a stag and have large antlers shaped like tree branches. The female is called a hind and the young are referred to as calves.

Fallow deer

These deer originate from France and were brought over during the Norman conquest. They were introduced to Studley Royal at the end of the 1600s. They’re a pale brown colour with white spots, but you do occasionally see an all-white or dark colouring, too. The male is called a buck, and have ‘palmate’ antlers (broad and flat). The female is known as a doe and her young as a fawn.

Manchurian Sika

These are the smallest and most timid deer in Studley Royal park. They originate in the Far East and have a white, heart-shaped marking on their bottom. The males are called stags with antlers like tree branches. The females are called hinds and their young are calves.

Deer Facts

Deer strip off bark and use it like chewing gum. This means the trees in the deer park need protecting with metal railings for up to 40 years.

The velvet hanging from the stag or bucks antlers in September is where the phrase ‘in tatters’ comes from.

Deer eat short grass, which means you can’t graze deer and sheep together as they’ll be competing for food. You can graze deer with cattle, however, as cattle eat longer grasses.