Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden #50places2026

I have been to Fountains Abbey in North Yorkshire before this visit, once in 1979 on a school trip and then again in 1993 when I was visiting York on a short holiday. I was back in North Yorkshire again and one of the things I wanted to do was visit the ruins of Fountains Abbey once more.

Having arrived and put the car on charge, I headed to reception to get my card scanned. After that it was into the grounds. I first went to Fountains Hall, which is a historical manor house in the grounds of Fountains Abbey. I don’t remember going there in 1993. I visited the mill as well.

It was then onto the ruins themselves, which are incredible. It was a huge building and the ruins are awe inspiring.

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden

Ancient abbey ruins and an awe-inspiring water garden and deer park. This World Heritage Site is a uniquely blended landscape full of secrets, curiosities and breath-taking views.

Current saving £143.30
One adult £21.00
Parking Free
Total saving £21.00
Cumulative saving £260.30
Membership cost £96
Net cumulative saving £164.30

This National Trust property is ruined, was burnt down by Henry VIII following his arguments with Rome over divorce.

After exploring the ruins I walked through the water gardens to the café. There I had a coffee and a scone as one does. I walked back to the ruins, this time though up the hill and to the viewing platform. 

I really enjoyed my visit to Fountains Abbey.

Though I was at the University of York in the late 1980s, I never actually got around to visiting Fountains Abbey again, in the main as when I was at University I didn’t have a car, and public transport wasn’t always an option back then.

I keep meaning to visit again, we went to York back in 2013 when we went on holiday to North Yorkshire, but the cold weather at the time (it snowed a lot) meant that we kept to indoor attractions such as the Castle Museum and the National Railway Museum.

Fountains Abbey

I have been to Fountains Abbey in North Yorkshire, once in 1979 on a school trip and then again in the 1990s when I was visiting York. These photographs are from that visit in the 1990s.

Fountains Abbey

This National Trust property is ruined, was burnt down by Henry VIII following his arguments with Rome over divorce.

Fountains Abbey

Though I was at the University of York in the late 1980s, I never actually got around to visiting again, in the main as when I was at University I didn’t have a car, and public transport wasn’t always an option.

Fountains Abbey

I keep meaning to visit again, we went to York at Easter 2013, but the cold weather at the time (it snowed a lot) meant that we kept to indoor attractions such as the Castle Museum and the National Railway Museum.

Fountains Abbey

Fountains Abbey

If you are a member of the National Trust, and though I went a long time ago now, I would recommend a visit.