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.
- Booking essential
Bring all the family, pack your torches and explore Fountains Abbey in the dark, transformed by light and sound.
New for 2026! Discover the story of Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal brought to life through striking projected animations cast onto the abbey ruins. As darkness falls, centuries of history will unfold across the stonework in a unique and immersive experience that celebrates this extraordinary place.
Join a guided tour at 6pm or 7.15pm to discover more about the abbey's rich history. Tours last approximately one hour. Enjoy a live choral performance in the Cellarium at 6.30pm or 7.45pm, and listen to Gregorian chant echoing from Huby's Tower.
Tuck into tasty food in the Mill Yard, around 100m from the abbey ruins.
Dogs on short leads are welcome.
Pre-booking is essential, including for National Trust members (please remember to bring your membership cards with you). Non-member tickets are available at a reduced admission price compared with a standard daytime visit.
Entry is staggered and your ticket will include an allocated arrival timeslot. Admission for the event will open at 5pm, with last entry at 8pm. There is no access to the estate before your ticketed arrival time. Please allow at least 15 minutes to park and make your way to admissions.
The site closes at 4pm and day visitors cannot stay on for the evening event.
For more information, please visit the Fountains by Floodlight page on the Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal home page.
Times
Prices
| Ticket type | Ticket category |
|---|---|
| Adult | £12.00 |
| Child | £6.00 |
| Ticket type | Ticket category |
|---|---|
| English Heritage Member | £0.00 |
| MaxCard holders | £0.00 |
| National Trust Member | £0.00 |
| National Trust for Scotland Member | £0.00 |
| Under 5s | £0.00 |
The basics
- Booking number
Call 0344 249 1895
- Accessibility
Unfortunately, we aren't able to offer mobility scooter hire for this event. Wheelchairs are available to hire - please ring the office on 01765 608888. Access to the abbey ruins is across a level grassy green. When the grass is wet this can be impassable for wheelchairs and mobility scooters. Access to Mill Café and the Street Food Market is along hardstanding paths.
- Meeting point
Parking and admission is at the Visitor Centre only. Parking at West Gate will be stewarded for blue badge holders and those who need level access. Studley Royal car park and entrance will be closed.
- Suitability for children
Children are welcome and under 5 do not need a ticket.
- What to bring and wear
If you've booked a members ticket, don't forget to bring your cards with you. Please wear sturdy footwear and warm clothing. Bring a torch as the grounds get very dark even with the floodlights.
- Other
Tickets for Fountains by Floodlight will go on sale on Friday 28 August. Non-member tickets are available at a reduced admission price compared with a standard daytime visit. Member tickets are free of charge but please still book a ticket. There is no lighting in the water garden. The floodlights in the abbey will be switched off at 9pm and the grounds fall into darkness. Please start making your way back to the visitor centre before 9pm. Car parks close at 9.30pm. Please note that drones are strictly not allowed here.
Upcoming events
Pokémon joins Fountains Abbey’s Summer of Play
Planning your summer holidays? Discover a Summer of Play supported by Pokémon. Plus, don't miss the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution play zones...
Summer of Play: crafty Mondays
Join us every Monday for a crafting workshop as part of our jam-packed Summer of Play.
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.