Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal Water Garden, Ripon, North Yorkshire
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a unique place made of two moments in history.
Medieval abbey ruins meet 18th-century garden elegance in a place full of secrets, curiosities, and breath-taking views. Classical temples, cascades, and statues still enchant visitors as they did Georgian pleasure seekers. Open year-round, Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal it’s perfect for walks and wildlife spotting through every season. In 2026, parts of the garden won’t be looking their usual best due to conservation work dredging at the Half Moon Reservoir and major building work at Studley Royal. This is all part of preserving this special place for future generations. There’s still plenty to explore and enjoy while nature and history get a little extra care this year.
Features & Accessibility
- Winter Opening
- Plant Sales
- Children’s Playground
- Tearoom
- Gift Shop
- Group Visits
- Dogs welcome on leads (grounds only)
- Facilities for wheelchair users & those with limited mobility
- Facilities for visual impairments
- Facilities for auditory impairments

Things to do
Find loads of family days out and fun things to do in and around Yorkshire with the family.
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Contact
Ripon, HG4 3DY
01765 608888
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/fountainsabbey
Opening times
Open 7 days a week February-October. Closed Fridays November-January.
Please check the website for seasonal opening times.
Directions
Off B6265 to Pateley Bridge from Ripon. Follow the brown signs for Fountains Abbey from A1. 12 miles north of Harrogate (A61). Sat Nav: Use postcode HG4 3DY.
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