Fountains Abbey

Visited on 23rd December, just a few days before Christmas. It was a very cold day, but thankfully dry, so we were able to enjoy the grounds without the weather spoiling it. That said, parts of the fields were quite muddy, especially away from the main paths, so walking shoes are recommended and warm layers are a must in winter. Getting there was straightforward, with clear signage directing you to the car parks. If you are unsure whether to park in A or B, car park A has more EV charging points, which is worth noting if you are driving an electric vehicle. Adult tickets were £21 each, though entry is free with a National Trust membership. On arrival, we were advised by a member of staff on the best route to take around the grounds, which made the visit much more enjoyable. She was incredibly knowledgeable, shared some great stories, and had such a calm, soothing voice that you could happily listen to her for hours. The paths are mostly gravel and paved, but there are plenty of opportunities to wander off into open areas and fields, which adds to the sense of exploration. The grounds are vast and very scenic, and we spent around five hours walking around at a relaxed pace. One of the highlights was spotting deer near the church, including a rare white deer, which felt like a real moment of luck and made the visit extra special. The café at the end of the route is a nice stop to warm up, though the food selection is quite limited. In hindsight, bringing a packed lunch would have been a good idea, especially given how long we spent exploring. Overall, despite the cold and muddy patches, it was a fantastic experience and well worth the visit. I would highly recommend it to families and anyone who enjoys long walks, wildlife, and beautiful open grounds.

Wow, what a place! Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Gardens completely blew me away. The abbey ruins are absolutely stunning – huge, dramatic, and full of atmosphere. You can just wander around and lose yourself in the history. The gardens are gorgeous too – so beautifully designed with lakes, statues, little follies, and surprise viewpoints. Catching a glimpse of the abbey from across the water is like something out of a painting. We also spotted deer in the park which was a bit of a treat! Loads of walking routes to choose from, so you can do a quick wander or spend the whole day exploring. There’s also two good on-site cafes, one at the visitor centre, and one lakeside venue. There are also plenty of picnic spots if you bring your own. The whole place is spotless and really well looked after. This was one of the best days out I’ve had in ages – peaceful, scenic, and full of history. It is also a World Heritage Site to boot, so you are in for a treat!

We attended an evening event with a male voice choir which was just lovely. To explore the ruins in the dark/by torchlight gave it a very different feel. The acoustics for the concert were brilliant and gave me goosebumps! We will definitely return in the daytime to see it again. Nice to do something different, we had a great time.

What an incredible place, if you are like myself you will need multiple trips to take in everything. We spent the entire day basically going around the ruins and didn't even get chance to go in the Hall or the deer park. Stunning place and it is lovely to see it busy as well, and not to mention how well maintained it is. English heritage and National Trust free entry which is a bonus. Highly recommended place to go and like I said maybe two days to explore the entire site properly but wow you won't regret it.

Absolutely Stunning place to visit. The grounds are immense and walks were beautiful. So we'll looked after. I'll definitely be going back to see the rest of it, it is so vast. Tip. Go early and take a pick nic if it's nice, or enjoy the cafe on site.