The abbey at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden

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.

Fountains Abbey in the olden time, drawn in 1841 by John Richard Walbran — 'Fountains Abbey in the olden time'

The history of Fountains Abbey

a lady walks past hubys tower at fountains abbey and studley royal. — Explore the magnificent abbey ruins.

Learn more at Porter's Lodge

Find out more about the history of the Abbey in the Porter’s Lodge exhibition. Tucked inside the original gatehouse is the contemporary structure which houses the interpretation centre.

A grandmother and granddaughter touching the herbs in the garden at Swanley Grange — Use touch and smell to explore the vegetable garden

Explore Swanley Grange

Discover more about Fountains Abbey’s agricultural past. Try your hand at heritage crafts, venture into the medieval veg garden and meet the feathered and woolly residents of this special grange.

National Trust Education Officer and a school group at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, North Yorkshire — Our Learning Officer Emma runs our varied education programme

Learning at Fountains Abbey

Experience a day in the life of a monk, go pond dipping, den building or even camp out under the stars when you bring your educational group to our special place.

National Trust Images / Paul Harris — Come and find out what makes this World Heritage Site so special

Group visits to Fountains Abbey

Groups of visitors have been coming to our special place since the 18th-century. With guided tours, self-led visits and a discount on admission prices come and find out what makes this World Heritage Site so special.

Explore the estate

Two ladies walking along the banks of the river Skell

Explore the abbey

Couple walking through Studley Royal water garden with Temple of Piety in the background

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.

Enjoying a stroll down Seven Bridges Valley

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.

Group enjoying a rest stop at Studley tea-room by the lake

Enjoy a tasty treat

After an energetic walk or a short stroll why not enjoy a bite to eat with us. Choose from the Visitor Centre Restaurant, Studley Tearoom or Mill Cafe.

Kitchenware from the National Trust's spring collection

Treat yourself in the shop

Taste delicious chutneys, sample teas and find fresh blooms in the plant centre as well as gifts and seasonal products in our shop.

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folly! Art in the garden trail

Pick up a map to explore the follies and let your creativity run wild!

Fri 17 Aug 2018

+ 79 other dates

10:00-17:00

folly! 2018

Surprising, intriguing and extraordinary... See the lost follies of the water garden re-imagined by artists and architects.

Fri 17 Aug 2018

+ 79 other dates

10:00-17:00

Abbey & water garden tour

A tale of two parts, delve deeper into this World Heritage Site on a guided tour.

Fri 17 Aug 2018

+ 75 other dates

11:00-15:00

Weaving at Swanley Grange

Looms at the ready? Know your warp from your weft?

Fri 17 Aug 2018

+ 2 other dates

11:00-16:00

Children's craft - woven decorations

Have a go at weaving with yarn at Swanley Grange and make a summery decoration to hang in your garden.

Fri 17 Aug 2018

+ 2 other dates

11:00-16:00

Discovering the Settlers Society

Discover the little know history of the Settlers Society and help bring the stories of the settlers boys to life.

Sun 19 Aug 2018

+ 12 other dates

01:00-01:45

Felt making at Swanley Grange

Come to Swanley to have a go at different kinds of felting, from needle felting to tramping on the cloth...

Mon 20 Aug 2018

+ 13 other dates

11:00-16:00

Children's craft - felted bugs

Use soap and water to make your own felted bug!

Mon 20 Aug 2018

+ 14 other dates

11:00-16:00

Mass for St Bernard

To commemorate St. Bernard there will be a Mass held in the abbey.

Mon 20 Aug 2018

12:00-13:00

Summer deer watch

Do you know your stags from your hinds and your Reds from your Sikas? Come and explore the deer park in summer with our guides...

Tue 21 Aug 2018

14:00-16:00

Summer in the herb garden

Meet Rosemary, Angelica and Rose in the hidden herb garden opposite Fountains Hall.

Tue 28 Aug 2018

13:30-15:30

Pond dipping

Newts, water lice, water boatmen, molluscs, pea mussels...there's an extraordinary world just waiting to be discovered hiding under the surface of the still ponds in the water garden.

Wed 29 Aug 2018

11:00-15:00

Natural dye at Swanley Grange

Come along to watch this natural wool dyeing process, which has more than a hint of magic and alchemy about it.

Sat 01 Sep 2018

+ 3 other dates

11:00-16:00

Knitting at Swanley Grange

Come and try your own hand at knitting and add a few rows to the Swanley Scarf.

Mon 03 Sep 2018

+ 26 other dates

10:00-17:00

Autumn deer watch

Come and experience one of the season's most spectacular sights on this guided walk through the medieval deer park.

Sat 22 Sep 2018

+ 2 other dates

14:00-16:00

Walk on the monks' way

Follow the footsteps of a monk as you journey from Fountains Abbey to Brimham rocks.

Sun 30 Sep 2018

12:00-16:15

Fountains by Floodlight

Experience something truly special as you explore the illuminated ruins of Fountains Abbey.

Sat 06 Oct 2018

+ 6 other dates

17:00-21:00

Night Run

Join us for our NightRun this October, in partnership with Cotswold Outdoor. These traffic-free events are about having fun at your own pace, being social and exploring Fountains Abbey after dark. Walk or run - it’s up to you.

Tue 16 Oct 2018

19:00-20:30

Children's craft at Swanley Grange

Be inspired by the bright colours and illustrations used in medieval illuminated manuscripts to create your own decorated bookmark.

Sat 27 Oct 2018

+ 8 other dates

11:00-16:00

Illuminated writing workshop

Drop in this led workshop to have a go using a quill and ink to create colourful and vibrant illuminated writing.

Tue 30 Oct 2018

+ 2 other dates

11:00-15:00

Autumn drive through

Experience the spectacular views of the abbey and water gardens lit up against the night sky from the comfort of your car.

Sun 04 Nov 2018

18:00-20:00

Winter bird walk

Discover which feathered friends are calling Fountains Abbey their home this winter.

Sat 17 Nov 2018

11:00-12:30

Preserving at Swanley Grange

Come and experience the medieval way of preserving food and taste the results.

Sat 17 Nov 2018

11:00-15:00

The Nativity trail.

Follow the stars to discover scenes of the nativity by the abbey and in the garden.

Sat 24 Nov 2018

+ 44 other dates

10:00-16:00

1930s Christmas at Fountains Hall

Discover what Christmas would be like in the 1930s at Fountains Hall this festive season.

Sat 24 Nov 2018

+ 29 other dates

10:00-16:00

Father Christmas Grotto

What’s that sound? It’s the jingle of reindeer bells – Father Christmas is touching down at Fountains Abbey this year and he comes bearing gifts.

Sat 24 Nov 2018

+ 9 other dates

11:00-15:00

Children's craft at Swanley Grange

Get in the festive spirit making your own wonderfully woolly star decoration.

Sat 24 Nov 2018

+ 22 other dates

11:00-16:00

Music and Lights

Here at Fountains we're getting into the Christmas spirit and have just the thing to enjoy on a chilly winter weekend: glowing lights, festive music and delicious food and drink. Come and join us!

Sat 24 Nov 2018

+ 8 other dates

14:00-15:00