Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal Water Garden, Ripon, North Yorkshire

Veiled in a secluded valley, this World Heritage Site National Trust property promises to surprise and captivate with its vast abbey ruins, Georgian water garden, medieval deer park and almost 900 years of history.
Fountains Abbey and 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.

Gallery

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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