Garden and abbey tour
Join one of our volunteer tour guides to see the abbey as the Georgians once did; incorporated into the dramatic designed landscape.
- Booking not needed
- Free event (admission applies)
Fountains Abbey became the greatest folly of all when John Aislabie created his water garden at Studley Royal. See the abbey as the Georgians did on this guided tour; incorporated into the dramatic designed landscape and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The abbey and garden tour lasts 1 hour 30 minutes and will be run twice a day, seven days a week.
Unfortunately, sometimes our volunteer guides aren't available and we have to cancel tours. Please ask the admission staff on your arrival for the tour schedule on that day. This tour will not be running on Monday 8, Tuesday 9 and Wednesday 10 July.
Times
Prices
Event ticket prices
This event is free, but normal admission charges apply for the venue.
Check admission pricesThe basics
- Meeting point
Meet at the Porter's Lodge; a 15 minute walk from the Visitor Centre, down a steep 20% gradient, 5 minutes from the level access West Gate entrance and 30 minutes from the Studley Royal entrance.
- What to bring and wear
We are an outdoor site so please dress appropriately for the weather and wear sturdy shoes as the ground is uneven in places.
- Accessibility
Access to the abbey is across a level grassy green. When the grass is particularly wet this can be impassable for wheelchairs, mobility scooters and prams. We have a portable hearing loop available to hire, free of charge, for guided tours. Please call 01765 608888 to book. Please collect from your tour guide at Porter's Lodge. You can use this with a hearing aid set to 'T' or with headphones.
- Other
This tour will last approx. 1 hour 30 minutes. Unfortunately, sometimes our guides aren't available and we have to cancel tours. Please ask the admission staff on your arrival for the tour schedule that day.
Upcoming events
A Landscape Painter's Perspective: Peter M. Hicks
Explore Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal through the eyes of one of the north's leading landscape artists this summer. 'A Landscape Painter's Perspective' is a new art exhibition by Peter M. Hicks.
Abbey tour
Join one of our volunteer tour guides to discover more about the largest monastic ruins in the country.
Wow! Wildlife walk
Discover unusual facts about the trees and wildflowers found at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, from the humble dandelion to a great old oak.
CANCELLED: Magnificent meadows! Wildlife walk
This event is now cancelled. Celebrate National Meadows Day with a short walk and talk around the estate's wildlife meadows.