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Start your visit at the recently opened Porters Lodge and find out what it was like to be a monk in Medieval England. The model of Fountains Abbey at the height of its success gives you an idea of how wealthy and important the abbey was. 

 

Move on to Fountains Mill and try your hand at the milling machine. In the abbey you can wander from room to room and marvel at the size and splendour of the Church.  Can you find the prison cells where the monks who broke the rules were imprisoned?

 

Walk along the river from the abbey to the Water Garden where you can enjoy peace and tranquillity amongst the ponds, statues and temples. The more adventurous can climb the High Ride and enjoy views across the garden and to the abbey. The walking trails leaflet (available in the shop and at admission points £1.50) suggests a number of walks around the garden. Enjoy lunch at the tea room overlooking the lake before continuing on your walk into the deer park.

 

Using the steeple as your guide, make your way towards St. Mary’s Church.  This Victorian masterpiece reflects the glory of its age, with a beautiful mosaic floor, wooden carvings and stained glass depicting Christian stories. There is a trail for the children to enjoy – can they find the mischievous mouse?

 

Follow the path along the woodland walk to the Visitor Centre. Time to browse in the shop amongst the locally sourced gifts, plants and books, before afternoon tea in the restaurant.

 

 

From the Visitor Centre follow the path to Fountains Hall, passing Swanley Grange with its activities for children on the way (school holidays only).  Dating back to the 16th Century, the hall has seen many important visitors including the Queen Mother. Exhibitions are held in the hall throughout the year (see events programme for details).

 

Follow in the footsteps of monks and walk along the path to the abbey. Take a guided tour with one of our informative guides, and find out how this Abbey became the richest monastery in the North of England. 

 

Take the path that leads across the river from the abbey and walk along towards the water garden. In January snowdrops will nod to you as you pass by. When you reach the Reservoir you can take a path to the right that climbs up to Surprise View. Enjoy the magnificent view of the valley and The Abbey in the distance. 

 

If you do not want to climb, a path continues on from the Reservoir to the Temple of Piety, an 18th Century building that overlooks the still, reflective ponds.

 

Cross the bridge over the canal and enjoy the view from the cascades across the lake and into the Deer Park. You may see some of the wild deer that live in the park. From the cascades follow the path along the other side of the valley back towards the Abbey. Enjoy the sight of wildflowers on the grassy banks throughout the year. 

 

Back at the Visitor Centre enjoy refreshments in the restaurant and find a souvenir of your visit in the shop.

 

 

Take a stroll from the Visitor Centre to the abbey. An audio tour will help you to find your way around and discover what it was like to live here all those years ago (available at admission points). Can you guess what the stone bath in the cloisters was used for? 

 

Walk across the abbey green and over the river to the mill. In the summer months you can enjoy an ice cream from the abbey kiosk. Entering the mill you will be greeted by the people who have worked here over the centuries including Edward Leeming, the son of the last miller. Discover why the mill was so important to the monastery and how its use has changed over the centuries. 

 

From the mill you can look across the orchard to Fountains Hall. If you have time you can visit the hall and find out about the families who have lived here. Exhibitions are held in the hall throughout the year (see What's On for details).