Winter garden and abbey tour
Join one of our volunteer tour guides to discover the secrets and surprises of Studley Royal Water Garden, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Booking not needed
- Free event (admission applies)
While it's often thought that the abbey ruin is the reason for our World Heritage Site status, it's actually the water garden at Studley Royal. Join a guided tour to find out more about this artificially manipulated 'feat of human creative genius' designed by the Aislabie's in the 1700s. Start to see the abbey as the Georgians did; incorporated into the dramatic designed landscape and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The abbey and garden tour lasts 1 hour 30 minutes and runs once a day, Saturday to Thursday.
This tour ends in the Water Garden. With construction now underway on the new Studley Lodge, there is no exit to the deer park from the Water Garden. Visitors will need to make their way back to the Visitor Centre or West Gate admission points after the tour.
Unfortunately, sometimes our volunteer guides aren't available and we have to cancel tours. Please ask the admission staff on your arrival for the tour schedule on that day.
Please note the estate is closed on Fridays from November to January (inclusive)
Times
Prices
Event ticket prices
This event is free, but normal admission charges apply for the venue.
Check admission pricesThe basics
- Accessibility
Access to the abbey is across a level grassy green. When the grass is particularly wet this can be impassable for wheelchairs, mobility scooters and prams. We have a portable hearing loop available to hire, free of charge, for guided tours. Please call 01765 608888 to book. Please collect from your tour guide at Porter's Lodge. You can use this with a hearing aid set to 'T' or with headphones.
- Meeting point
Meet at the Porter's Lodge; a 15 minute walk from the Visitor Centre, down a steep 20% gradient, 5 minutes from the level access West Gate entrance.
- What to bring and wear
We are an outdoor site so please dress appropriately for the weather and wear sturdy shoes as the ground is uneven in places.
- Other
This tour will last approx. 1 hour 30 minutes. Unfortunately, sometimes our guides aren't available and we have to cancel tours. Please ask the admission staff on your arrival for the tour schedule that day.
Upcoming events
The Pikachu Art Adventure at Fountains Abbey
Think you know art at the National Trust? Think again. Discover a unique art adventure at Fountains Abbey this autumn - with Pikachu as the star.
Garden and abbey tour
Join one of our volunteer tour guides to discover the secrets and surprises of Studley Royal Water Garden, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Abbey tour
Join one of our volunteer tour guides to discover more about the largest and most complete monastic ruins in the country.
Fountains by Floodlight
Explore glowing ruins and shadowed archways and hear choral music echoing through the abbey this autumn. Tickets are available to buy now.