Fountains Abbey and Studley

Royal, Ripon, HG4 3DY

TRAIL

Walking

GRADE

Easy

DISTANCE

4.5 miles (7.2 km)

TIME

3 hours

OS MAP

OS Explorer299 Ripon andBoroughbridge

Contact01765 608888

fountainsabbey@nationaltrust.org.uk

Facilities

nationaltrust.org.uk/walks

A walk through the centuriesYou'll experience time travel asyou walk through the FountainsAbbey & Studley Royal Estate,exploring the significant stagesin the estate's history from 1132to 1987. This is not a circularwalk; to discover all the significantlandscape additions you mayneed to double back on yourselfa couple of times. The walk takesyou around the grounds thereforeyou will need to pay admissionor be a National Trust or EnglishHeritage member.

TerrainThis walk takes you along bridleways, footpaths, roadways and gravel tracks through this delightfulestate. The terrain is fairly easy walking though there are a few moderate hills. Sensible shoes arerecommended as the ground can be muddy in poor weather. Dogs are welcome on short leads.

Things to see

Fountains Abbey

The Abbey was founded in 1132by a group of thirteen monksseeking a more austere anddevout way of life. The Abbeygrew to be the richest in England,though this all came to an endwith the Dissolution. To find outmore visit the exhibition in thePorter's Lodge.

Fountains Hall

Sir Stephen Proctor was aProtestant and as Justice of thePeace for the West Riding hewas unpopular with his Catholicneighbours, including the Inglebyfamily from Ripley.

The Banqueting House

If you look closely at theBanqueting House you will seethree gruesome faces abovethe doorway. Traditionally theserepresented Malice, Hatred andEnvy, qualities guests wereinvited to leave at the front doorbefore entering.

Fountains Abbey and Studley

Royal, Ripon, HG4 3DY

Start/endStart: Fountains Abbey VisitorCentreEnd: SE272687 FountainsAbbey Visitor Centre

How to get thereBy foot: 4 miles from Ripon viapublic footpaths and bridleways

By bicycle: Signed on roadcycle loop

By bus: Harrogate DistrictCommunity Transport (RiponRoweller 139) connecting withthe Leeds to Ripon 36. Pleasecall Traveline for details (0871200 2233)

By train: Nearest main railwaystation is Harrogate, 12 milesfrom Fountains Abbey

By car: 4 miles west of PateleyBridge on B6265 to PateleyBridge, signposted from A1, 12miles north of Harrogate

nationaltrust.org.uk/walks

1. 1132-1539 From the visitor centre walk along the path towards the Abbey. At the metal gate, takethe left path and walk down onto the West Green of the Abbey. Spend time exploring the impressiveremains of this large Abbey. Exit the Abbey west and follow the main drive, passing the Porter'sLodge interpretation centre on your right.

2. 1604 Continue along the main drive and you will see Fountains Hall, a Jacobean manor house.Fountains Hall was built by Stephen Proctor, partly using stone from the Abbey. When leavingFountains Hall retrace your steps. Continue down the path, with the Abbey on your right.

3. 1718 At the first junction in the road, fork right to see aspects of John Aislabie's water garden. Onyour left is the canal, emerging from the rustic bridge and further, on the right, the half moon reservoir.Return to the junction and turn right.

4. 1740s Continue down the main path looking to your right to catch glimpses of the Temple of Piety.At the next junction take the left fork up the hill. At the top is the Banqueting House, where JohnAislabie entertained his guests. Continue down the path and exit the gardens via the gate to the deerpark.

5. 1740s Walk around the Lake until opposite the cascade. Enjoy the view across the Lake into theWater Garden. Walk across the footbridge and down the Valley of the Seven Bridges. Walk as faralong the Valley as you like, before retracing your steps, cross over the footbridge again and whenyou reach the road turn right and then left, heading up the hill.

6. 1870 Approach St.Mary's Church, commissioned by the Marquess and Marchioness of Ripon. TheChurch is open from April 1 to September 30.

7. Once you have left the Church, turn right up through the gate and deer park boundary wall, andthen turn left walking along the bridleway with the deer park wall on your left. Arrive at the VisitorCentre where you finish your walk. If you have enjoyed learning about the estate on this walk, thereare guidebooks available in the shop.