Yorkshire

Studley Royal deer park walk

Our deer ranger has picked this walk as one of his favourites within the Studley Royal deer park in Ripon, North Yorkshire. As you follow the circular route, look out for some of the 300 wild deer that live there.

Near to

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden

Start point

Fountains Abbey Visitor Centre, grid ref: SE272687

Trail information

View route

Print trail

Difficulty*

Accessibility**

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 3 (km: 4.8)

Duration1 hour

Dog friendly***

*A moderate walk along mostly flat footpaths through parkland. For further details, please see section marked Terrain.
**Please be aware of uneven ground, height drops and deep running water. For further details, please see section marked Access.
***Please keep dogs on a short lead at all times. For further details, please see section marked Facilities.

Annual mating season

Please take extra care during the months of October and November when the annual mating season – deer rut – takes place. Ensure you keep your distance and have dogs on a short lead at all times.

Address
Fountains Abbey visitor centre, Ripon, North Yorkshire, HG4 3DY.
Directions via Google Maps
By train
Harrogate Station 12 miles (19.3km).
On foot
4 miles (6.4km) from Ripon via public footpaths and bridleways.
By bus
Harrogate District Community Transport (Ripon Roweller 139) Ripon–Markington (connections with Harrogate and District 36 from Harrogate). Call Traveline for details: 0871 200 2233.
Cycling
Signed on–road cycle loop. On Way of the Roses coast–to–coast cycle route. Cycle racks located at the visitor centre.
By road
4 miles (6.4km) west of Ripon off B6265 to Pateley Bridge, signposted from A1, 12 miles (19.3km) north of Harrogate (A61).
Dogs
Responsible dog owners welcome, please keep dogs on a short lead and 'scoop their poop.'
Car park
Main car park at the visitor centre is free of charge. Studley car park is pay and display (free for National Trust members) £6 for 4 hours, £9 all day. West Gate for accessible parking and level access to the abbey and water garden. Please don't park in the local village as this causes an obstruction for residents and emergency vehicles.
Electric vehicle charging point
There are a limited number of charging points for electric vehicles in car park B. These are on a first come, first served basis and unfortunately we can't guarantee that one will be available when you visit. If you do use one of the charging points please help us to cover the cost by making a donation.
Toilet
Toilets at each entrance to the estate and in Studley car park.
Café
Studley tea–room is located at the entrance to the water garden. Serving snacks and hot and cold drinks to take away, the tea–room is open 10am–4pm daily. Seating here is outdoor only.
Shop
A large National Trust gift shop and plant centre is located at the visitor centre.
Restaurant
Restaurant at the visitor centre serving hot and cold food and drinks with indoor and outdoor seating. Open daily, 10am–4pm.
Designated parking
Our accessible car park is located near our West Gate entrance (Sat Nav postcode HG4 3DZ). This provides level access to the abbey and water gardens. West Gate is open daily 11am–3pm.
Accessible toilet
Accessible toilets are located at the Visitor Centre, near the West Gate and Studley entrances, in the tea–room garden and in the Studley car park.
Induction loop
Steps/uneven terrain
There are some gentle and steep slopes around the estate. Please be aware of uneven ground, height drops and deep running water. We recommend wearing sturdy shoes when you visit.
Wheelchairs available
Powered mobility vehicle
A limited number of wheelchairs and mobility scooters are available to hire 11am–3pm. Pre–booking is essential, please call 01765 608888. Please collect from the West Gate entrance upon arrival.
Total stages: 5
Total stages: 5
Start point
Fountains Abbey Visitor Centre, grid ref: SE272687
Stage 1
From the visitor centre car park head for the mini roundabout and turn right along the bridle path, which runs alongside the estate drive towards St Mary's Church. Turn right through a gate, looking out for the Obelisk, and walk along the tarmac drive until you reach the church.
Stage 2
Just before reaching the church turn left onto a mown path in the grass and follow the boundary wall until you reach the grand stable block of Studley Royal House, now a private residence.
Studley Royal House
The house began life as the manor house of the medieval village of Studley Magna, then underwent many alterations. In the 1750s, William Aislabie remodelled the façade to a fashionable neoclassical front. A century later, the Marquis of Ripon renovated the house again and laid out formal gardens in the 1860s. The house sadly burnt down in 1946. The impressive stable block is all that remains today.
Stage 3
Walk past the house and turn right, walking along with the house on your right until you reach a tarmac drive. Cross over the drive and head down the slope, looking out for a stone bridge. Cross the bridge and follow a line of oak trees, passing the old head gardener's house and cottages that once belonged to estate workers.
Stage 4
Turn right along the boundary wall and continue along until you reach the public right of way marker. Turn right here and follow the path back up through the deer park alongside the estate drive. The track will take you back to pass in front of St Mary's Church.
Deer in the parkland
There are three species of deer living on the estate: red, fallow and sika. The red are the largest and the stags have impressive pointed antlers. Fallow bucks have flat, palmate antlers and are a tan colour with white spots. Sika deer are the only non–native species in the park and are generally smaller than the red and fallow deer. They also have white spots so it can be difficult to tell them apart from the fallows from a distance.
See fallow, sika and red deer in the park | © National Trust Images / Paul Harris
Stage 5
Pass through the gate and turn left, retracing your steps for the final part of the walk towards the visitor centre.
End point
Fountains Abbey visitor centre, grid ref: SE272687
Trail map
Studley Royal deer park walk trail map | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
You made it
Share your experience

Trail

The Seven Bridges Valley walk

On this circular walk, you'll cross delightful arched bridges as you follow the meandering Skell river.

Visitors walking along the lime tree avenue in the Deer Park at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden, Yorkshire

Trail

Fountains Abbey ancient trees walk

Explore the highlights of the park on this circular walk and learn more about the ancient trees in the deer park and insights into the 18th-century landscape.

2 adults with a toddler and pushchair going across a bridge over a weir

Trail

The Fountains Way

Walk to Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal from Ripon, taking in cathedral views from the lime avenue through the deer park, then explore the Seven Bridges Valley on your return.

A view over the Half Moon Pond and weir of Studley Royal Water Garden towards Fountains Abbey, North Yorkshire

Trail

Fountains Abbey Estate Boundary walk

See all the highlights of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal on a circular walk, taking in the Abbey ruins, hall, deer park and 18th-century water garden.

Fountains, Ripon, North Yorkshire, HG4 3DY

01765608888

fountainsabbey@nationaltrust.org.uk

We’ve partnered with Cotswold Outdoor to help everyone make the most of their time outdoors in the places we care for.

Visit website

Walking

Explore some of the finest landscapes in our care on coastal paths, accessible trails, woodland walks and everything in between. Find the best places to walk near you.

Article

Cotswold Outdoor: our exclusive walking partner

Learn about the National Trust’s ongoing partnership with Cotswold Outdoor. Find out how they help us care for precious places and the exclusive discount available for National Trust supporters.

Two female visitors standing on the rocks at Giant's Causeway, County Antrim

Article

Staying safe at National Trust places

The special places in National Trust care sometimes come with a few risks for visitors, be it coastline or countryside. Find out how to keep safe throughout your visits.

A visitor carrying a backpack and walking along a footpath at Divis and the Black Mountain with stone walls either side, the countryside visible in the background.

Article

Follow the Countryside Code

Help to look after National Trust places by observing a few simple guidelines during your visit and following the Countryside Code.

View of the 18th-century water garden at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal on a sunny day

Article

Things to do at Studley Royal

The evocative ruins of the abbey are set beside the grounds of Studley Royal, a medieval deer park in Yorkshire. It was declared Yorkshire’s first World Heritage Site in 1986.

Close-up of a girl holding a sandwich close to her mouth

Article

Eating and shopping at Fountains Abbey

Break up your adventures at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal with some tasty refreshments. Afterwards, look for the perfect gift or a treat for yourself in the National Trust shop and plant centre.

Walking in Ripon

Ripon is a wonderful place for walks, with its charming streets, riverside paths, and green open spaces. Whether you prefer a leisurely stroll or a longer, more scenic route, there’s plenty to enjoy. Discover a variety of walks in Ripon and the surrounding area.

Large group of hikers walking beside dry stone wall with hilly landscape in the background

Walking in Yorkshire

Discover some of the best walks in Yorkshire, from rugged Pennine beauty spots, views over the coast, to parkland and meadows perfect for a family stroll. Most are dog friendly and many can be enjoyed as part of your day out to the nearest National Trust property.

Near to

Start point

Trail information

Difficulty*

Accessibility**

Full trail

Annual mating season

Getting here

Facilities

Accessibility

Terrain and elevation

Trail route

Total stages: 5

Total stages: 5

Start point

Stage 1

Stage 2

Point of interest

Stage 3

Point of interest

Stage 4

Point of interest

Stage 5

End point

Trail map

Sign up to hear more from the National Trust