Studley Park and Fountains Abbey
This marvellous attraction boasts 800 acres of beautiful parkland set in the Yorkshire countryside. Explore the beautiful landscaped Georgian water garden of Studley Royal, before heading to the fascinating 12th-century Fountains Abbey. Look out for beautiful statues, follies and the many resident deer in the deer park. The ancient corn mill, the 17th century Fountains Hall and the Victorian Gothic church are also well worth a look.
The park is located just to the west of the North Yorkshire city of Ripon on the edge of the Nidderdale AONB. The Ripon Rowel long distance footpath passes the park so you can pick this up to extend your walking in the area. Heading south will take you through the countryside to Ingerthorpe and Markington.
Just to the east you can pick up the towpath of the Ripon Canal and enjoy an easy walk to Newby Hall. The 18th century house is well worth a visit, with its splendid gardens and views over the River Ure.
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Studley Park and Fountains Abbey Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Studley Park and Fountains Abbey Open Street Map 
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Studley Park and Fountains Abbey OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Studley Park and Fountains Abbey Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Explore the Area with Google Street View 
Pubs/Cafes
There's a lovely restaurant at the visitor centre where you can enjoy refreshments after your walk.
Dog Walking
The park is a great place for a dog walk but you are advised to keep them on leads. Dogs are allowed within the abbey, but please do not take them inside any buildings such as Fountains Hall. Water bowls are provided at the visitor centre, West Gate and Studley admissions as well as Mill Cafe and Studley tea-room.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
Fountains is part of the collection of Cistercian abbeys in North Yorkshire. You could continue your historic walking at Jervaulx Abbey and Rievaulx Abbey. There's more splendid trails around these ruined sites that also suffered during the Dissolution.
There's also Rosedale Abbey in the North York Moors although this was really just a small Cistercian nunnery, of which only a stone turret or belfry remains in the village churchyard.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Yorkshire Walks and Nidderdale Walks pages.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Studley Royal Park — a landscape garden park in North Yorkshire. Show here a brimming National Trust car park on a sunny Bank Holiday Monday in the April of 2009. This is the exit road for vehicles towards Studley Roger.
Avenue in Studley Park. Looking south-west along the long straight avenue from Studley Roger to St Mary's Church. The avenue is lined with impressive lime trees. Just ahead is the driveway junction - right for Studley Royal and left down to the lake.
Waterfall in the park.The River Skell immediately downstream of the footbridge at the foot of the lake.
Sphinx, Studley Park lake. One of a pair either side of the ford and footbridge at the foot of The Lake at Studley Royal Park — a landscape garden park in North Yorkshire. Assuming they match, this one dates from about 1727. "Probably by John Simpson for John Aislabie. Ashlar pedestal, limestone figure. Overall height approximately 1.5 metres. Moulded profile to pedestal. The figure is strongly proportioned, the weathered head draped with a light head-dress". In the background is St Mary's parish church.
The path from Mackershaw Lodges descends into the Skell River Valley to join the Ripon Rowel Walk at the foot of the lake.
Mackershaw Lodges, Studley Park
"Gateway with flanking lodges, now ruined. c1740 for John Aislabie. Limestone rubble and ashlar.
Archway flanked by projecting single-storey 2- bay lodges. Round carriage arch with massive voussoirs and keystone (now with farm gate) flanked by flat-arched pedestrian gateways, now blocked, each with round-arched recess above ...
The lodges were occupied until c1970 ... The building stands on high ground and was probably intended as a focal point rather than an entrance to the park"
Fountains Abbey viewed from the site of the Abbey infirmary
Fountains Abbey. Ruins of the 12th-century Cistercian Abbey.