Explore Fountains Mill

Boasting more than just the abbey, Fountains has many interesting tales to tell, including a Cistercian mill

Fountains Mill

Fountains Mill is one of the oldest buildings on the estate and was in continuous use until 1927. Fountains Mill was built by the Cistercians in the 12th-century to grind grain for the monastery. It survived the closure of the Abbey and continued to mill grain right up to 1927.

In its long history, the building has also been a monastic granary, a timber sawmill, a home for refugees, and a mason’s workshop.Today you'll find an interactive exhibition and see objects discovered when we restored the mill in 2001, including some very old graffiti.

Children exploring Fountains mill — Have a go at grinding corn in the mill

Explore the estate

Two ladies walking along the banks of the river Skell

Explore the abbey

The dramatic abbey ruins at Fountains are the largest monastic ruins in the country. Step back into a rich and dramatic past and imagine what life would have been like for the monks who first came here all those years ago.

Two women strolling amongst the moon ponds and statues of Studley Royal water garden

The water garden

During the 18th-century John Aislabie had great plans to impress visitors to his Yorkshire estate and so turned the surrounding woods and valleys into the Georgian water gardens we see today.

An autumnal view of Jacobean mansion Fountains Hall

Exploring further...

Discover our hidden gems including Fountains Mill built by the Cistercians in the 12th-century, it's one of the oldest buildings on the estate. We're also home to a deer park, church and grand hall.

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