You are here: Home > The Estate Today > World Heritage Site > Statement of Significance  

The Statement of Significance explains what matters about a site, why and to whom. It explains why a site is unique and what is important including a description of the main features of the site and an explanation of their significance. It expresses the ‘spirit of place’ and is central to the management plan because it provides guidance on the careful management of change to help identify priorities and formulate management regimes for conservation and access work.

 

The statement of significance has been reviewed and updated and will be updated at every review period. Interviews and a questionnaire were used to understand visitor and local community perceptions of the site. As well as the historic interest, other elements were also felt to be very important: peaceful and tranquil surroundings, the beautiful setting in the Skell valley, being close to nature, echoes of the past, atmosphere, spiritual value and feelings of ownership and attachment particularly amongst visitors and volunteers from the local area.

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal was designated as a World Heritage Site under the following criteria:

The Aislabies' vision to enhance this part of the Skell valley and create a spectacular water garden was both bold and innovative. The design became influential throughout Britain and Europe and occupies an important place in the development of designed landscapes.

Garden landscape, water gardens, Abbey ruins, Jacobean mansion and Victorian church are all of exceptional merit and together justify the inclusion of Studley Royal in the World Heritage List.

The garden design took full advantage of the natural setting in the valley and the Romantic ideals of the period. The following generation developed these earlier ideas into the Picturesque and Naturalistic garden styles.

The monastic ruins demonstrate the resourcefulness and efficiency of the Cistercian settlement.

The designed landscape illustrates the successful manipulation of the existing natural landscape and the continuing, successful integration of various and diverse features.

The Water Garden is an illustration of the Romantic Imagination and the design deeply influenced the development of garden design throughout Britain and Europe.

Refer to criteria (ii) and (iv). 

Studley Royal: one of the few great 18th Century ‘green gardens’ to survive substantially in its original form; arguably the most spectacular water garden in England. The garden contains canals and ponds, cascades, lawns and hedges, with elegant temples and statues used as eye-catchers. The layout of the gardens is determined by the form of the natural landscape, rather than a design that is imposed upon it. The Aislabies’ design survives substantially in its original form. 

 

The design influence of the Aislabies’ extended beyond the current boundaries of the site to Hackfall and Laver banks where other great landscapes were created, shaping the countryside and influencing the future design of grand landscape gardens in Britain and Europe. 

 

Fountains Abbey ruins: a key element in the garden scheme providing the spectacular culmination to the principal vista. It is one of the few Cistercian houses surviving from the 12th Century and providing an unrivalled picture of a great religious house in all its parts. Fountains Abbey, founded in 1132 soon became one of the largest and richest Cistercian abbeys in Britain, before being closed by Henry VIII in 1539 during the Dissolution of the Monasteries and was partially demolished soon after. The influence of Fountains Abbey extended across Yorkshire and beyond with the development of 33 grange farms and trading assets.

 

Jacobean Fountains Hall: an outstanding example of a building of its period and partially built with stone from the Abbey.  It has a distinctive Elizabethan façade and is enhanced by a formal garden with shaped hedges. The interior of the Hall has been adapted for successive uses, including a courthouse.

 

St. Mary’s Church: outstanding example of High Victorian, Gothic architecture by one of its leading exponents, William Burges in 1871, and considered to be one of his finest works. The church is one of a pair; its twin is Christ the Consoler at Skelton-on-Ure. They were both designed by Burges and built using the same craftsmen.

 

The integration of all the above elements into a continuous landscape is of exceptional merit and beauty. The nomination report* highlights the significance of the landscape garden as an outstanding example of the development of the ‘English’ garden style throughout the 18th Century, which influenced the rest of Europe. 

 

*The nomination report is submitted by the state’s party (in the UK this is the Department for Culture, Media and Sport) to UNESCO. It provides the justification for nominating the site for inclusion in the world heritage list.

The key feature of Studley Royal is a spectacular water garden of canals and ponds, cascades, lawns and hedges, with elegant temples and statues used as eye-catchers in a series of contrived vistas, framed like paintings, and contrived landscape juxtapositions. 

 

Several of the garden buildings were used as eye catchers including; How Hill Tower, built in 1718 and aligned with the formal canal, the Banqueting House, the Temples of Fame and Piety, the Octagon tower and most spectacularly, the abbey. Many significant vistas survive today, most notably the borrowed view of Ripon Cathedral which extended the garden into the surrounding countryside and was framed by an avenue of lime trees.

 

Described as ‘one of the most spectacular scenic compositions in England’ (Hussey 1967), and ‘the finest formal water-garden in the country’ (Jellicoe et al 1986), the designed landscape is exceptional for the manner in which it illustrates the development of taste and aesthetics, building on continental styles of formal gardens, but giving that model a unique expression in allowing the layout of the gardens to be determined by the form of the natural landscape, rather than imposing a design upon it. 

 

The Water Garden, designed by John Aislabie between 1718 and 1742, is one of the few formal landscape gardens from the early 18th century to survive substantially in its original design; by contrast, the gardens at Stowe are a combination of successive styles of landscape design superimposed one upon another. The gardens at Studley take full advantage of the natural setting, foreshadowing the picturesque ideals and naturalistic style of the next generation. William Aislabies’ extensions of the garden in the Valley of Seven Bridges, into the abbey grounds (he acquired the Fountains Abbey estate in 1767) and in Spa Gill Wood are no less innovative than those of his father, and are similarly of high significance. 

 

The Studley Royal estate and the design influence of the Aislabies’ extended beyond the current boundaries of the site to Hackfall and Laver Banks where other great landscapes were created, shaping the surrounding countryside and influencing the future design of grand landscape gardens in Britain and Europe. 

 

The estate includes an extensive deer park, in part of medieval origin, which was laid out in the 17th and early 18 Century with formal plantings of Sweet Chestnut and with great avenues of Lime and Oak trees. Many of these were aligned on distant landmarks, such as Ripon Cathedral to the east and How Hill to the south and in this way the wider landscape was integrated into the design of the park, providing a setting for it which is still important today. 

 

The estate also contains significant archaeological remains, including mediaeval and later field boundaries, cultivation terraces and open field patterns, as well as many other historic and natural features.

Fountains Abbey, founded in 1132 soon became one of the largest and richest Cistercian abbeys in Britain, before being closed by Henry VIII in 1539 during the Dissolution of the Monasteries and was partially demolished soon after. The extensive standing remains that include, in particular, a surviving 12th Century mill and precinct wall, represent an outstanding testimony to Cistercian architecture and power.

 

Fountains Abbey mill, built c1140, is the earliest and best preserved monastic mill in the UK. Used for corn milling, it is an outstanding illustration of monastic industrial activity, and was an essential part of the monastic estate. The Mill continued in active use as a saw mill, electricity generator and stone masonry works until the 1990s and with nearly 800 years of use, it is an excellent illustration of continuity of use.

 

The influence of Fountains Abbey extended across Yorkshire and beyond with the development of 33 grange farms and trading assets including lead and iron mines, marble quarries, horse farms, fisheries and town properties. As well as a spiritual   centre, by the end of the 13th Century, Fountains was an industrial estate and had become the largest producer of wool in the North of England.

 

The abbey ruins also provide a dramatic focal point to the gardens of Studley Royal, laid out between 1718 and 1781 by John Aislabie and his son William in the beautiful setting of the Skell valley and building on work commenced by the Mallory family in the 1670s. The Abbey is one of the key attractions of the whole site. For visitors it is a very special place giving an insight into monastic life in the Cistercian order and valued architecturally and aesthetically. 

At the west end of the estate is Fountains Hall, built between 1598 and 1604 partly with stone from the abbey, it has a distinctive Elizabethan façade and is enhanced by a formal garden with shaped hedges. The interior of the Hall has been adapted for successive uses, including a courthouse, but retains some very significant features; the decorated chimney piece in the Great Chamber depicting the Judgement of Solomon and an oriel window of painted and coloured glass attributed to Bernard Dininckhoff, a renowned glass painter of the Jacobean period.

St Mary’s Church, located in the deer park, is one of the most richly decorated churches of the Gothic Revival, designed by William Burges in 1871 and considered to be one of his finest works. This church was commissioned by the Marquis of Ripon to become the Parish Church. The church is one of a pair, the other, in the nearby village of Skelton was commissioned by Lady Mary Vyner (cousin of the Marquis) to commemorate the murder of her youngest son in Greece.

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal estate is, as its name implies, a composite site. The importance of the site is indicated by several designations which state its national importance, culminating in its international recognition as a WHS and inscription on the World Heritage List in 1986.

 

The nomination report highlights the significance of the landscape garden as an outstanding example of the development of the ‘English’ garden style throughout the 18th Century, which influenced the rest of Europe. The designation by UNESCO particularly notes;

Despite the loss by fire of Studley Royal House, the 18th Century landscape garden and the abbey ruins are internationally important for their historical, archaeological, architectural and natural interest, while Fountains Hall and St Mary's Church are also important in their own right. The combination of so many historic features representative of different periods is exceptional.

The wide variety of habitats and species is of high nature conservation interest. The veteran trees of the deer park and their deadwood invertebrates are of national, possibly international, importance, as old parkland is rare in Europe. Eight species of bats and some rarities like the native crayfish, the great crested newt and the water vole are found on the estate. Other key natural features include the presence of unimproved grassland, ancient woodland, a rich flora, a wide variety of birds, ponds and the River Skell, with many different species being associated with the river. Habitats on the estate are supported by an underlying geology of Millstone Grit overlain by Magnesian Limestone. The variety of wildlife and the feeling of green, open space attract many people to the estate.

The composite and multi-faceted nature of the site means that it is enjoyed by many people in many ways. 

The estate is important for its recreational values, and has an unusually long history of tourism, beginning in the 17th Century. Even before Studley Royal landscaped garden was finished, it was described as the ‘Wonder of the North’ by a visitor (Travel Journal of John Tracy Atkins, 1732).  

 

It is one of the most visited properties of The National Trust and a key attraction in Yorkshire, drawing visitors from many parts of Britain and from overseas. Each year over 300,000 visitors come to the paying area and an estimated 150,000 people visit the deer park.

 

Local people have strong attachments to the deer park and the Seven Bridges Valley in particular, often with several generations of their family coming for a walk, to see the deer and enjoy the views. Several buildings on the estate have been adapted to provide short-term holiday lettings.

 

The popularity of the estate with visitors and local residents rests on the fact that there are a great many things to ‘do’ (whether this is one of a number of organised activities or personal preference options), but it is still possible to find ‘private’ space and this makes the historic and physical dimensions of the estate spectacular but also accessible and personal.

Volunteering is an important part of the life of the Estate. There are over 300 volunteers with varied backgrounds, who bring skills and enthusiasm, but also reveal that the sense of ‘ownership’ of the estate is quite broad. Collectively the volunteers give about 20,000 hours each year to the estate and participate in training to help them with their role. 

 

The estate is an important local employer with about 65 permanent staff, a number of whom have worked on the estate for many years and collectively represent a great deal of knowledge about the history and operation of the estate. During the busy summer season the number of people employed on the estate increases by up to 60 additional members of staff.    Several staff members live either on the estate or at Studley Roger and most live within ten to fifteen miles of the estate. 

The estate is valued for the learning opportunities it provides. Over 13,000 school children come to estate each year to join in activities with the learning team. 

 

Many visitors come to the site to increase their knowledge of the historic landscape, wildlife and people who have lived here.  Overall 54% of visitors surveyed for the management plan update said that pursuing their interest in history was a key reason why they came to the site. The learning team provides visitors with a wide variety of different ways to discover the estate, its stories and history. 

 

These include guided and self-led tours, an audio tour of the abbey and lively exhibitions.  For children and students, there is a facility based at Swanley Grange which offers year round workshops and activities to help children and young people appreciate different aspects of the site. 

 

In 2007 the Heritage Education Trust awarded the learning team with the Sandford Award for Heritage Education stating that the learning programme stimulates the 'intellect, imagination, emotions and creativity, involving each person in a voyage of discovery.' 

 

The site is highly valued by all for its tranquillity and peaceful beauty and for providing a quiet place for calm reflection. 

The estate retains an active and significant spiritual and celebratory significance with many people. A limited number of ecumenical services take place in the Abbey Church, notably at Christmas and Easter. The Parish minister and former clergy volunteer their time on site during the summer months. St Mary’s Church remains consecrated and is used several times a year for services, in addition to parish weddings and christenings. 

The estate has always been a working unit and the success of the estate as a visitor attraction means that it is an important economic driver for the sub-region. It is a premier attraction in Yorkshire and one of only two World Heritage Sites in the region. 

 

Through local employment, tourism and purchasing goods and services it is currently estimated that the site contributes about £600,000 to the local economy. The estate is committed to increasing the provision of locally sourced products, whilst the many visitors also spend locally. 

 

The National Trust works in partnership with local farmers to manage agricultural pockets of land on the fringes of the estate. This reinforces the economic and social significance of the estate and the important relationship between the estate and local community.  

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal is a place that "speaks" to everyone, dear to the hearts of many, especially within Yorkshire. The often reproduced picture of Huby’s Tower and its reflection in the formal canal is one of the great iconic images of Yorkshire. It is difficult not to be moved by Fountain’s magic.