Light up your evening at Fountains by Floodlight

Fountains Abbey is aglow with lights from the East Green — See the abbey ruins aglow this October at Fountains by Floodlight | © J Shepherd

Wander through glowing ruins, under shadowed archways and hear haunting choral music ringing through the cellarium this autumn. Join us this October for an after-dark experience you won’t forget.

Fountains by Floodlight 2026

We're still finalising our plans for Fountains by Floodlight 2026. Dates and details are below but please check in with this page or keep an eye on our social media accounts for new information like food vendors and choir listings.

Fountains by Floodlight is a feast for all your senses...

Watch as night falls over the abbey and the ruins start to glow with light.

Bring a torch and chase your shadows as you experience the abbey like never before. Join the volunteers for a guided twilight tour of the abbey. Head to the cellarium and hear live music flood through the ruin as darkness continues to fall. Take a visit to the Street Food Market and fill those grumbling tummies.

What do you need to know?

Fountains by Floodlight will take place on the following dates in 2026:

Friday 9 & Saturday 10 October

Friday 16 & Saturday 17 October

Friday 23 & Saturday 24 October

Thursday 29 & Friday 30 October

Please check in with this page or keep an eye on our social media accounts for new information as we're still busy planning details.

Admission for this event will open from 5pm with last entry 8pm. When you book your ticket, you'll be able to choose a half-hour timelot to arrive in. Please arrive at your ticketed timeslot as you won't be able to enter the estate earlier. Once you're inside the event you can stay as long as you like up until 9pm. Car parks will close at 9:30pm.

The estate will close to day visitors at 4pm (3:30pm on 29 & 30 October) before reopening to guests with pre-booked tickets at 5pm. You won't be able to visit in the day and stay on for the evening.
Yes. You'll need to pre-book a ticket for Fountains by Floodlight even if you're a National Trust member. Spaces are limited so we recommend booking as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

This year entry for this event will be staggered and each ticket will have a half-hour allocated time slot for your arrival. Please note there is no access to the estate before your ticketed time slot and we recommend allowing 15 minutes to find a parking space and make your way through admissions. Once you've entered the estate you're welcome to stay as long as you like up until we close at 9pm.

The site will close at 4pm (3:30pm on 29 & 30 October) - you won't be able to use day tickets to stay on for the evening event.

Admission for visitors with floodlighting tickets will open at 5pm.

You won't be able to book tickets or visit this event using a promotional pass.
Don't forget that you'll need to book a ticket even if you're a member.

National Trust & English Heritage members*: Free

Adults: £12

Child (age 5-17): £6

Under 5: Free - you won't need to book a ticket for under 5's.

*Please remember to bring your membership cards with you.

**Maxcard holders should book a members' ticket and bring their Maxcard with them on the day.

***Essential carers and companions can book a members ticket.
Admission for Fountains by Floodlight will open from 5pm, with last admission at 8pm. The event will end at 9pm and car parks will close at 9.30pm.

Our Mill Yard street food market will start serving from 5.30pm.

There will be two guided tours of the abbey starting from Porter's Lodge at 6pm and 7:15pm. Both tours will last approximately 1 hour.

There will be two live music performances in the cellarium, one starting at 6.30pm and the second at 7.45pm. Both performances will last approximately 1 hour.

Street Food vendors in mill yard for an evening event at Fountains Abbey — Tummy grumbling? Head to Mill Yard each evening for yummy treats and drinks | © J Shepherd

Parking and admission is at the visitor centre only.

Admission at West Gate will be stewarded and is for visitors who require blue badge parking. You'll still need to book a ticket if using West Gate car park and entrance.

A visitor transport service will be running throughout the evening for visitors who require a lift from the Visitor Centre to the level access West Gate entrance.

You won't be able to enter or exit the site via Studley Royal.

Please arrive by car and car share when possible.
As well as yourselves and a sense of adventure you'll need to bring along the following:

a torch so you can see as you walk around

sturdy footwear for exploring in the dark and on uneven ground

warm clothing suitable for wet weather as the temperatures drop quickly as night falls and the event will still go ahead even in the rain
Unfortunately, we aren't able to offer mobility scooter hire for this event but manual wheelchairs will be available, free of charge. Please ring the office on 01765 608888 and select option 5 if you wish to book a manual wheelchair.

Please be aware that 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.

Dogs welcome at fountains by floodlight — Dogs on short leads are very welcome to fountains by floodlight | © J Shepherd

Book your tickets here

Exploring safely

Don't forget to bring a torch or headlamp or torch with you to help you light the way. Please stay within the abbey ruins once darkness falls. The abbey ruin is nearly 900 years old and while it looks tempting to climb on, it's much safer to have fun discovering all the secret doorways and staircases in the shadows instead.

Visiting Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal with your dog

Fountains Abbey is a three pawprint rated place. Discover why it's such a great place to bring your dog and take a look at our top tips to help you make the most of your visit.