Medieval Medicines tour
Step into the world of medieval medicine at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal.
- Booking not needed
- Free event (admission applies)
Join our volunteer tour guide and explore the strange, surprising and sometimes sinister world of medieval medicine at Fountains Abbey.
Uncover how the monks cared for the sick, from herbal remedies grown in the gardens to treatments that might seem bizarre (or even dangerous) today. Learn how medical knowledge was passed on and how doctors were trained.
Along the way, your guide will reveal what treatments may have worked, which were based on superstition, and how medieval healthcare compares to what we know today.
Head to Porter's Lodge at 1.30pm to meet your tour guide.
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 Porter's Lodge; a 15 minute walk from the Visitor Centre, down a steep 20% gradient and 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.
Upcoming events
Winter abbey tour
Join one of our volunteer tour guides to discover more about the largest monastic ruins in the country.
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
Monastic bread, beer and wool tour
Join one of our volunteer tour guides to discover more about the people who lived and worked on the Fountains Abbey estate.
Uncover the mysteries of the masons' marks
Join one of our volunteer tour guides for an interactive tour of the hundreds of masons’ marks found carved into the runs of Fountains Abbey.