Route: Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden
Area: North Yorkshire
Date of walk: 5th February 2015
Walkers: Andrew Gilly Lucy and Phoebe
Distance: 5.6 miles
Weather: Overcast and dull, rained at end
We parked by the visitor centre at Fountains Abbey and walked through Abbey Field to the Abbey. The ruins are the largest monastic ruins in the country and are a magnificent sight, even though the weather today was uninspiring
After wandering around the atmospheric ruins for a while we walked into Studley Royal Water Garden, created in the early 18th century by John Aislabie to impress visitors to his estate. The River Skell which runs along the valley has been completely transformed into a beautiful water garden. We were duly impressed
We had a brief excursion into the adjoining deer park, but insufficient time to do it justice and that will have to wait until another day
The girls walked back to the visitor centre via St Mary’s Church and I returned along the other bank of the river, making a 5 minute detour to visit Surprise View, which was well worth the short climb
What a special place this is
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Lucy, Gilly and our granddaughter Phoebe approach Fountains Abbey
Great Spotted Woodpecker in the trees
Fountains Abbey ahead
We wandered around the ruins for a while
Inside the Cloisters
Such an atmospheric place
I try to show Phoebe how to walk on her own two feet
But she prefers flying lessons
We leave the Abbey and walk towards the adjacent Studley Royal Water Garden
Temple of Piety
The Temple of Piety again
Feeding the ducks
The girls take a short cut back to the start via St Mary’s Church, and I re-enter the water garden
I remember crossing the stepping stones here, but health and safety concerns seem to have put paid to that
Surprise View, looking towards Fountains Abbey
A last look at the Abbey. It started to rain at this point, but I was almost back to the start, so this didn’t spoil what had been a wonderful day out
