A DAY AT FOUNTAINS ABBEY

September 15, 2024

On a beautiful late summer day, just before the weather turned and storm Lilian decided to pay us a visit, my parents, Isabelle & I spent a wonderful day at the stunning Fountains Abbey.

Fountains Abbey is located approximately 3 miles south-west of Ripon in North Yorkshire near the village of Aldfield.

This stunning Abbey was founded in 1132 and operated for 407 years, becoming one of the wealthiest monasteries in England until its dissolution, by order of King Henry VIII in 1539.

Today it is owned by The National Trust & maintained by English Heritage.

The ruins of Fountains Abbey are some of the oldest in the country and are truly something to behold. We were blessed with beautiful weather, which is obviously preferable, but I would most definitely still visit on a less desirable day. Throughout the Summer & school holidays there are numerous activities for children & families which are in-keeping with the Abbeys history & stunning grounds and so are therefore both interesting & educational.

There is so much to see at Fountains Abbey that it truly feels like more than one attraction as it includes the magnificent Abbey itself, an elegant Georgian water garden, a richly decorated Victorian Church and a medieval deer park.

Prepare for a lot of walking and there is a steep gradient from the visitor centre to the estate, so it is not recommended for wheelchair or mobility vehicle users.

Dogs are allowed in all outdoor spaces provided they are kept on a short lead at all times.

There is a lovely restaurant at the visitor’s centre serving hot & cold food with indoor and outdoor seating. We found this to be reasonably priced with a good selection of food & drinks.