Family-friendly things to do at Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal
There are acres of space where little legs can explore and imaginations run riot here at Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal. Find out more about what to expect if you’re planning a visit with babies and children.
Planning your family visit
Fountains Abbey is open 7 days a week and there’s no need to book in advance - just come along and spend a full day exploring, running and playing.
- There are accessible toilets and a dedicated baby change at the visitor centre, by Fountains Hall and at the Studley end of the estate.
- There are accessible concrete paths on a circular walk around the estate. Paths inside the abbey ruins and deer park vary from gravel to grass and hard standing. You can find a map here.
- Children under five are welcome to bring balance bikes and bikes with stabilisers to help them get around. Larger bikes and e-scooters are only allowed on the long drive through the deer park.
Exploring safely
The abbey ruin is nearly 900 years old and while it looks tempting to climb on, it's much safer to have fun discovering all the secret doorways and staircases instead. Please leave balls and bats at home as you won't be able to use them here. The river Skell runs through the site and it a great place for spotting wildlife. Please do keep those wellies out of the water though as it is deep and fast running in places.
Autumn activities
Autumn is one of the most colourful times of year to visit Fountains Abbey with the trees looking their best, dressed in reds, yellows and golds. Lace up your walking boots, wrap up warm and head on a colourful wander around the estate. Take a look at what autumnal activities we have coming up...
Helios
4, 5, 11 and 12 October
See the sun like never before with Luke Jerram’s Helios at Fountains Abbey. The 7 meter sculpture will be suspended in the nave of the abbey. There'll be bookable sunrise and sunset events and you'll be able to enjoy the artwork during the day as part of normal admission. Tickets will be available on our website from Friday 5 September.
Fountains by Floodlight
25, 26, 31 October and 1 November
Explore glowing ruins and shadowed archways, hear choral music echoing through and warm up with a tasty bite and hot chocolate in the abbey this autumn. Tickets will be available on our website from Friday 19 September.
Become an abbey adventurer
Don your adventure cap and set out to discover all the hidden corners of the abbey. See if you can find the last of the white marble and all the ruined alters in the nave. Can you hear an echo in the cellarium and how many staircases can you find throughout the ruins? Be sure to look up to find carved figures and faces.
Be a water garden explorer
Don't stop at the abbey. The water garden is full of straight lines and symmetrical curves but there are many corners to discover, too. Climb up to the Banqueting House lawn and have fun, can you spot Octagon Tower in the distance?
Explore woodland on the High Ride path - but you'll need to walk through the dark Serpentine Tunnel to get there! Once you're up, you're up and there are three follies to find. One has an underground kitchen, one is made out wood and one has a wide view down to the abbey. See if you can find them all.
We're famous for the abbey ruins but find out what else you can explore on your visits
Discover the play area
Less than two minutes from the visitor centre there's a huge play area where inquisitive little minds can be let loose to play. There are things to wobble along, jump over and climb on...you'll find a wooden abbey, a woodland lookout, scramble nets and posts, swings, fireman's poles, a slide, a rope bridge and a huge zipwire for the most daring adventurers of all. There’s also a five-point harness swing for our younger visitors with additional access needs. Parents can keep an eye out from picnic tables dotted around or come and join in with building a den.
'I love coming to Fountains Abbey with my family. My favourite bits are the zip line in the playground and the secret upstairs room in the abbey. I like to chase my big sister through the tunnel in the garden too. We always race through the middle bit where it’s really dark.'
You might also be interested in
Helios at Fountains Abbey
Helios at Fountains Abbey, North Yorkshire
Light up your evening at Fountains by Floodlight
Make memories this autumn racing through the abbey glow in the quiet of the autumn night. Create shapes in the shadows and hear the crunch of your footsteps echo through the ruins on a late-night adventure you won’t forget!
Your accessible visit to Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal
We want to make sure that Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal is accessible for all visitors. Discover how we can help you make the most of your visit to Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal.
Visiting Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal with your dog
Fountains Abbey is a three pawprint rated place. Discover why it's such a great place to bring your dog and take a look at our top tips to help you make the most of your visit.
Family friendly things to do at Brimham Rocks
There is plenty of ways to explore Brimham Rocks for families both young and old to enjoy. If you're looking for somewhere exciting to get kids exploring the outdoors, then Brimham is the natural playground that will get those wellies on. Discover the different outdoor activities on offer.
Broom Making at Brimham Rocks
Calling all witches and wizards! Who needs a broom this Halloween?
Family-friendly places in Yorkshire
Plan an adventure in Yorkshire. With play areas, activities for kids, wildlife to spot and plenty of things to do when it rains. Bring the whole family to make memories during your time together.
