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.

The ruins of Fountains Abbey
Fountains Abbey in the olden time, drawn in 1841 by John Richard Walbran

The history of Fountains 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.

a lady walks past hubys tower at fountains abbey and studley royal.

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

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

Learning at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal 

Experience a day in the life of a monk, go pond dipping to discover what lurks beneath the water's surface, build a den as a team or get crafty with heritage crafts in Swanley Grange. There's plenty to do here for every educational group in this special place.

National Trust Images / Paul Harris

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 walk towards the abbey ruin on an autumnal day at fountains abbey and studley royal

What can you do at Fountains Abbey? 

Planning your day out? Start here to find out what you get on your visit to Fountains Abbey. We warn you though - you'll need a full day to soak up the full experience, starting with the abbey...

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

What can you do in the water garden? 

You've explored the abbey and now it's time for the water garden. Designed in the 18th century these gardens hold a place on the world stage, granted World Heritage Status in 1986. Find out what you can do on your visit here.

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.

Handing coffee over in the visitor centre restaurant at Fountains Abbey

Enjoy a tasty treat 

After an energetic walk or a short stroll why not enjoy a bite to eat with us. Our food hasn't traveled far and tastes all the better for it. Come together over a Christmas lunch in December and tuck into a warming hot chocolate and mince pie after an adventure through the grounds.

Childrens toys for Christmas from the National Trust shop

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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Follow the clay faces trail

Discover ten faces peeking and peering from the trees around the estate.

Wed 20 Feb 2019

+ 11 other dates

10:00-16:00

Wild and woolly decorations at Swanley Grange

Make your own woolly decoration in Swanley Grange this February half term.

Wed 20 Feb 2019

+ 11 other dates

11:00-16:00

Make a staff

Choose your stick carefully to become the perfect staff.

Thu 21 Feb 2019

+ 1 other date

13:00-15:00

Going Digital photography workshops

Discover how to get the best out of your camera with these photography workshops with Pandora. Learn the basics in an inspiring setting or discover how to capture the perfect landscape.

Sat 23 Feb 2019

+ 5 other dates

10:00-16:00

Spot the birdy

There is a lot of bird life on the Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal estate. Join our wildlife team and see which birds you can see on Studley lake.

Sat 23 Feb 2019

+ 1 other date

11:00-15:00

Make your own clay face

Get your hands dirty making clay faces on the trees.

Sat 23 Feb 2019

+ 1 other date

11:00-15:00

Winter abbey tours

If these walls could talk...

Sat 23 Feb 2019

+ 11 other dates

13:30-14:30

Dying Gladiator Day garden tour

Join us for a day of gladiator inspired fun and learn all about the work we do here on a guided tour.

Sun 24 Feb 2019

11:00-12:00

+ other times

Dying Gladiator Day

Join us on Sunday 24 February for gladiator inspired games and family fun to raise money to return a statue which was lost from the gardens of Studley Royal over a hundred years ago.

Sun 24 Feb 2019

11:00-15:00

Den building competition

Can you make a shelter to withstand the wind and rain of winter?

Tue 26 Feb 2019

13:00-15:00

Ten little bookworms children’s trail

Follow the Ten Little Bookworms trail for World Book Day weekend!

Sat 09 Mar 2019

+ 1 other date

10:00-17:00

Wedding Open Days

Come and find inspiration for your perfect wedding day here at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal.

Sun 17 Mar 2019

10:30-13:00

Heritage: A Harrogate College Exhibition

Come and see a unique collection of mixed media pieces inspired by medieval heritage crafts created by the students of Harrogate College.

Thu 21 Mar 2019

+ 6 other dates

10:00-16:00

Lavender bags at Swanley Grange

Bring the kids to get creative with hessian to make their own lavender bag.

Sat 30 Mar 2019

+ 29 other dates

11:00-16:00

Step inside the bird hide

Want to learn how to bird watch with the best of them?

Tue 16 Apr 2019

11:00-15:00

Busy Bees

Keeping bees is quite a craft, the monks would have made 'skeps' to keep bees for their honey and highly-prized wax for making candles, honeyed wines, mead and for sweetening food as they didn't have sugar.

Sat 13 Jul 2019

+ 3 other dates

10:00-16:00

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Night Run

Lace those trainers and light those head torches and come for a run around Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal at night.

Tue 29 Oct 2019

18:30-21:00