What can you do at Studley Royal water garden?

Woman looking over a wintery Studley Royal water garden — See Studley Royal water garden sprawling out in front of you

Nestled within the Skell Valley near Ripon, this landscaped masterpiece designed by John and William Aislabie in the 18th century, was deemed so special that it was awarded World Heritage Site status in 1986.

Follow the gentle banks of the river skell down from the abbey to the garden, which has been channelled into canals, cascades and tranquil moon ponds. It was the monks who originally changed the course of the river up by the abbey and the Aislabies continued this work crafting the reservoirs and channels to create a scenic landscape garden.

Autumn is a colourful time of year in Studley Royal water garden

" This is far from a natural landscape. Although the Aislabies worked with the landscape to create this water garden, it's a carefully crafted design. "

Into the garden...

Walk out onto a sprawling green lawn, decorated with statues dotted around tranquil moon ponds. Stroll around the ponds and down the canal to see the statues up close. Make the climb up to the High Ride path through the dark Serpentine Tunnel. There are more follies to explore and big views to be admired!

Admiring the view of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden, North Yorkshire.

Don't worry - once you're up, you're up and it's worth the climb. Find three more follies along the winding woodland path and enjoy the views through the trees, ever changing with the seasons. Keep your eyes peeled for the spire of St. Mary's church in the deer park.

Studley Royal Water Garden in the eighteenth century

Discover the history of Studley Royal 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.

Whether it's decorated in wildflowers throughout spring, lush and green through summer, golden and colourful through autumn or dressed in snows and frost through winter, it's a joy to experience these gardens throughout the seasons and different every time.

Magnolia tree at the Banqueting House — The Magnolia tree is looking splendid at the Banqueting House

" As you walk down the river do you notice the difference in the sounds? Listen closely and you'll hardly hear the water flowing beside you but occasionally you'll come across a weir and then you'll hear nothing but the crashing of water. Walk on and it will be peaceful again."

Find a folly!

There are follies dotted throughout the water garden. These follies were used throughout the gardens were used for the Aislabies to show off the garden, have picnics and to entertain their guests.

Girl enjoying the view from the Temple of Fame at Fountains Abbey — Enjoying the winter views of the garden from the Temple of Fame

Top 12 things to do in the garden*

Venture into Serpentine tunnel
Find Europe's biggest laurel bank
Count all the follies
Discover which folly is actually made of wood
Find the faces of Malice, Hatred and Envy (then leave them behind you as you enter this folly)
Dress up as Georgians at the Banqueting House
Gasp at the vista from Surprise View
Cross the narrow bridge at Studley Royal
Marvel at the wildflower lawn
Spy Neptune's statue
Have a picnic on the lawn
Take a tree rubbing

*some of these may be seasonal

The classical statues at Studley Royal water garden after restoration work

Our Conservation Work

Managing the impact of flooding, adapting to climate change, conservation work, sharing the stories of this amazing place are all key priorities in the work we do. Here are some of the projects that have been going on.

The Dying Gladiator statue in place at Studley Royal water garden

We're a World Heritage Site

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal sits on the world stage. The 18th-century water garden, incorporating some of the largest Cistercian abbey ruins in Europe achieved the status of a World Heritage Site. Find out what exactly a World Heritage Site is and how that impacts the work we do.