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

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.

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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.

All the different coloured wool from natural dyeing hung out to dry 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.

A school group learning in Fountains Abbey cellarium

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.

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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

Let the kids run wild around Fountains Abbey

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...

Woman looking over a wintery 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.

Boy and girl climbing in the play area at Fountains Abbey

The play area at Fountains Abbey 

Wondering how to burn off some energy with the kids? Keep them entertained for hours at the large play area at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal. There’s a huge area bursting with fun and challenges for all abilities and room for plenty of imagination too. Find out what you can do at the play area and more about the facilities available here.

ice cream at Fountains Abbey visitor centre spring summer

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 travelled far and tastes all the better for it. Tuck into a scone, indulge in some cake or revive yourself with a hearty meal in the visitor centre restaurant.

A variety of autumn products including a throw, toiletries and a mug

Treat yourself in the shop 

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

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The exterior of West Gate Lodge, Fountains Abbey, Yorkshire

West Gate Lodge  

An elegant Victorian cottage with views over the 12th century Cistercian Fountains Abbey.

The sitting room at Abbey Stores, nr Ripon, Yorkshire

Abbey Stores 

Guests staying at either cottage have free, after-hours access to the medieval ruins and water gardens of Fountains Abbey. Explore the grounds of the site at your leisure, even when all the other visitors have gone home. Further afield, the city of York makes for a great day out.

These Passing Things

Discover unexpected large scale landscape artworks by Steve Messam in the garden this summer.

Mon 18 Oct 2021

+ 13 other dates

10:00-16:30

Garden and abbey tour

Fountains Abbey became the greatest folly of all when John Aislabie created his water garden at Studley Royal. See the abbey as the Georgians did on this guided tour; incorporated into the dramatic designed landscape. Numbers are limited so...

Mon 18 Oct 2021

+ 13 other dates

11:00-12:30

Abbey tour

If these walls could talk...unearth the monastic secrets of a great abbey and the daily routines of the monks who lived here on this guided tour. Numbers are limited so please speak to a member of the welcome team on your arrival.

Mon 18 Oct 2021

+ 13 other dates

14:00-15:00

Any Questions?

If you don't fancy a guided tour but have something you'd like to ask, drop into the cloister in the centre of the abbey.

Mon 18 Oct 2021

+ 13 other dates

15:00-16:00

Fountains by Floodlight

Wander through glowing ruins, under shadowed archways and hear haunting choral music ringing through the cellarium this autumn. Join us every Saturday in October and Friday 22 & 29 to have an after-dark experience you won’t forget.

Fri 22 Oct 2021

+ 3 other dates

16:30-17:00

+ other times

Deer park walk

Spot the red, fallow and sika deer on a guided walk through the deer park.

Sat 30 Oct 2021

14:00-16:00

Christmas crafts at Swanley Grange

Create a friend for Percy the Park Keeper in Swanley Grange: have fun creating pinecone snowy owls using wool and felt.

Sat 20 Nov 2021

+ 23 other dates

11:00-15:00

Music & Lights at Christmas

See the abbey aglow in coloured lights and listen to the sound of festive music as you explore the ruins.

Sat 20 Nov 2021

+ 20 other dates

14:00-17:00

Percy the Park Keeper's winter wander at Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal

This winter, treat your little ones to a world of adventures at Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal on the Percy the Park Keeper's winter wander trail. Join in the fun with Percy and his animal friends and give nature a helping hand. £2 per trail.

Sat 04 Dec 2021

+ 25 other dates

10:00-16:00

On the hoof

Trot along to the deer park, just past St Mary's Church to watch the wild deer munching through their winter feed. Can you spot the difference between the Red, Sika and Fallow deer? Our deer ranger will give you some pointers and you'll learn...

Sat 04 Dec 2021

+ 5 other dates

11:30-12:30

Carols by Candlelight

As Christmas fast approaches it’s time for our annual carol service. This year we will be limiting the number of visitors into the cellarium so please ask a member of the welcome team for a ticket on arrival if you'd like to join the service.

Sun 05 Dec 2021

+ 1 other date

15:00-15:45

Boxing Day Pilgrimage

Join the service in Ripon Cathedral at 9.30am before joining on this ancient pilgrimage as it makes its way to the abbey where the service continues from approx. 12 noon.

Sun 26 Dec 2021

12:00-12:45