Let little legs loose in the water gardens this year and you’ll stumble upon something surprising. Four new artworks have arrived and they’re waiting to be explored so grab an ‘Art in the Garden’ trail and seek out your favourite spot.
Top 5 things to do at folly!
Pull a funny face in the Gazing Ball
Show us your best dance moves under the Cloud
Have a picnic by Polly
Design your own folly on the family trail (and enter it into the prize draw)
Listen out for the drips and drops of the re-imagined Bathing House
Run wild at Polly
Chris Lacey
Run wild at Polly
Have a picnic at Polly
Standing nine metres tall and covered in beautiful bright wooden feathers, Polly is hard to miss. Perched high up on Tent Hill with a wonderful view over the lake, she's in a great spot for a bite to eat and a chance to run wild. Settle down on the grassy bank and tuck in. After filling up on tasty treats, pop inside Polly for a feast for your eyes! As your eyes adjust you'll be treated to her bird's eye view of the gardens and treetops.
Cartwheel at the Cloud
We've caught a cloud and pinned it down so you can play amongst the clouds rain or shine. Show it your best cartwheels or see if you can jump high enough to touch it. Pause for some shade on a sunny day or dodge the raindrops when it's grey.
Cartwheel around the Cloud
Chris Lacey
Cartwheel around the Cloud
You can read about 11 year old Foster who designed this folly and let creative minds loose as you design your own folly on the 'Art in the Garden' trail.
Grin at the Gazing Ball
Can you see it glinting and gleaming in the sun? It's the perfect place to practice pulling your best funny faces or try capturing a family selfie to remember the day. Take a moment to recover from a day of adventuring on the Gazing Ball's circular bench. Look up or out at the view towards the Octagon Tower.
Enjoy summer views from the Gazing Ball
Chris Lacey
Enjoy summer views from the Gazing Ball
Don't miss the Banqueting House whilst you're up there. Have a go dressing up in the Georgian costumes there and discover Georgian games like croquet on the lawn.
Oak leaves
National Trust / John Millar
Oak leaves
Lend an ear at The Listening Tower
Take a moment to chill at the Listening Tower. If you're quiet enough you'll hear the drip dropping of the lost Bathing House. What does it remind you of? Explore the rest of the garden and listen out for other sounds like birds singing, rivers flowing and leaves rustling in the breeze. Or have a go at making your own noises. Can you whistle, sing, click your fingers or stamp your feet?
There's art in the garden but it's not paintings, and it's not in a gallery...The artworks are in the garden and they're just for fun - we call them follies. Use this map to explore!
Experience a full day out exploring with your family at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal and let imaginations run wild this iconic Yorkshire landmark. Visit the large play area, walk through the dark Serpentine Tunnel in the water garden, spot a new bird at the bird hide and discover a cave by the abbey.
Art programme folly! goes into the landscapes of the water garden for 2018. Internationally recognised architect Charles Holland's design Polly was selected for Tent Hill, one of the sites of the lost follies of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal.
With fantastic views down into the garden and across to the folly Octagon Tower, The Gazing Ball designed by Lucy Orta, is in prime position for giving visitors a unique view of the landscape around them.
Inspired by the lost folly, the Bathing House, which used to sit in sight of the moon ponds, architects FleaFolly have masterminded the Listening Tower. Hear the sounds of the lost Bathing House as you stroll through the water gardens.
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