A few miles south west of Ripon in North Yorkshire, hidden in a secluded valley lies Fountains Abbey at one end and Studley Royal Water gardens at the other, owned by the National Trust in partnership with English Heritage.
 The Abbey was founded in 1132 by thirteen monks and became one of the richest in Europe in the 400 years which followed.
The water gardens were created by the Aislabie family in the 1700's, the Abbey and water gardens have since become a World Heritage Site.
18/06/05

To see a map of the area click here

  St. Mary's Church in the grounds of the deer park, built in 1871-78.

  The 400 acre deer park has Red, Fallow and Sika deer

Red deer

   At the far end of the lake the water tumbles over the weir,  the river Skell then continues it's journey.

  At this end of the lake is the entrance to the water gardens , built on the dam are pavilions on either side of the cascade.

Inside the water gardens, looking down the canal from the rustic bridge

  Canal waterfall and the rustic bridge, the bridge was built around 1730 and is one of the original features of the water garden.

Formal water garden with the Temple of Piety overlooking the Moon pond with the statue of Neptune in the middle of the pond

Tent Hill used to be the site of a temple dedicated to Venus

  Walking beside the river Skell which feeds the water gardens, Fountains Abbey comes into view.

 The Abbey can be accessed from either side of the river, this bridge leads the way to Fountains Mill.

When the Abbey was dissolved by King Henry VIII as where all in the country, the Abbey Mill survived.

The Abbey also had guest houses which was used by the Abbey's patrons, nobility and wool merchants.

Infirmary bridge over the river Skell

Looking from the bridge, this area was the Lay brothers (non monks) infirmary where the sick and elderly lived.

North aisle of the church

Window in the main tower

The west range

Fountains Abbey ruins

Reflection in the river Skell

All Images © John Beres 2003-2008