Family-friendly things to do at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal
There are acres of space where little legs can explore and imaginations run riot here at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal. Find out more about what to expect if you’re planning a visit with babies and children.
Planning your family visit
Fountains Abbey is open all year round (closed Fridays in November, December & January) and there’s no need to book in advance - just come along and spend a full day exploring, running and playing.
- There are accessible toilets and a dedicated baby change at the visitor centre, by Fountains Hall and at the Studley end of the estate.
- There are accessible concrete paths on a circular walk around the estate. Paths inside the abbey ruins and deer park vary from gravel to grass and hard standing. You can find a map here.
- Children under five are welcome to bring balance bikes and bikes with stabilisers to help them get around. Larger bikes and e-scooters are only allowed on the long drive through the deer park.
Stories of Colour and Light
October half term
Monday 26 October to Sunday 1 November, 9.30am - 4.30pm
This October, discover the Stories of Colour and Light at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal. Celebrate the changing season with an autumn adventure where vibrant colours, fascinating stories and family-friendly activities await around every corner.
Follow a self-guided trail through the estate and discover activity points inspired by autumn colour, nature and the stories hidden within the trees. Along the way, get hands-on with crafts, meet costumed re-enactors and have a go at traditional apple pressing. Whether you're crunching through fallen leaves, discovering fascinating stories, or simply enjoying time together outdoors, there's plenty to keep the whole family entertained this half term.
Craft Workshop: From Monday 26 to Friday 30 October, 11am - 3pm, join artist Alice Dunsmore for autumn craft workshops and create leaf fairies, toadstools and seasonal decorations using natural materials gathered from across the site.
Apple pressing: On Tuesday 27 October,11-1pm, have a go at traditional apple pressing using apples harvested from the estate.
Christmas at Fountains Abbey
Festive Trail
Saturday to Thursday 28 November - 3 January. 9.30am - 4.30pm (last admission is 3.30pm)
Wrap up warm and set off on a festive adventure through the magnificent ruins and water gardens of Fountains Abbey. Perfect for young explorers. Pick up your trail sheet from Admissions, follow the clues, and see what festive wonders you can uncover as you explore one of Yorkshire’s most magical winter landscapes. Perfect for children of all ages. it's a great way to enjoy some family fun in the fresh air this festive season.
Festive craft workshop
5&6, 12&13, 19&20 December
Get creative this Christmas with a festive family workshops, delivered by the team from Rural Arts. From crafting beautiful wreaths and handmade stockings to creating sustainable Christmas cards and festive decorations inspired by beloved literary characters, there's something for every young maker to enjoy.
While the kids get crafty in Swanley Workshop, grown-ups can relax with a hot drink and soak up the twinkly festive atmosphere at Swanley Grange. Each workshop lasts 1 hour Children will be guided through the making process with easy-to-follow steps.
Workshops are priced at £10 per child. Standard admission to the site still applies. Tickets will be live soon. Book early to secure your place and make some festive memories together this Christmas.
Become an abbey adventurer
Don your adventure cap and set out to discover all the hidden corners of the abbey. See if you can find the last of the white marble and all the ruined alters in the nave. Can you hear an echo in the cellarium and how many staircases can you find throughout the ruins? Be sure to look up to find carved figures and faces.
Be a water garden explorer
Don't stop at the abbey. The water garden is full of straight lines and symmetrical curves but there are many corners to discover, too. Climb up to the Banqueting House lawn and have fun, can you spot Octagon Tower in the distance?
Explore woodland on the High Ride path - but you'll need to walk through the dark Serpentine Tunnel to get there! Once you're up, you're up and there are three follies to find. One has an underground kitchen, one is made out wood and one has a wide view down to the abbey. See if you can find them all.
We're famous for the abbey ruins but find out what else you can explore on your visits
Discover the play area
Less than two minutes from the visitor centre there's a huge play area where inquisitive little minds can be let loose to play. There are things to wobble along, jump over and climb on...you'll find a wooden abbey, a woodland lookout, scramble nets and posts, swings, fireman's poles, a slide, a rope bridge and a huge zipwire for the most daring adventurers of all. There’s also a five-point harness swing for our younger visitors with additional access needs. Parents can keep an eye out from picnic tables dotted around or come and join in with building a den.
'I love coming to Fountains Abbey with my family. My favourite bits are the zip line in the playground and the secret upstairs room in the abbey. I like to chase my big sister through the tunnel in the garden too. We always race through the middle bit where it’s really dark.'
Exploring safely
The abbey ruin is nearly 900 years old and while it looks tempting to climb on, it's much safer to have fun discovering all the secret doorways and staircases instead. Please leave balls and bats at home as you won't be able to use them here. The river Skell runs through the site and it a great place for spotting wildlife. Please do keep those wellies out of the water though as it is deep and fast running in places.
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