Fountains Abbey contains the largest monastic ruins in the country, and as history lovers will know, we have Henry VIII to thank for their ruin. Not content with claiming the job as head of the Church in England in order to divorce Katherine of Aragon and marry Anne Boleyn, he then set about relieving the abbeys and monasteries of their enormous wealth. There can’t be many places in Yorkshire that generate such a mixed response. The ruins evoke a tumultuous period for the Church in England, whilst the beauty and serenity of the setting cannot fail to calm the soul.
The Church in Ruins at Fountains Abbey
Founded in 1132 by monks seeking a quieter life, the abbey joined the Cistercian Order three years later. Some four hundred years after its foundation, however, Henry’s Dissolution of the Monasteries brought its days as a religious house to an end in 1539. The estate passed to the Crown and was later sold; stone from the abbey was reused, adding to its ruinous state.
Beauty amongst the rubble
These days Fountains Abbey is a magnet for visitors. Set in the stunning Skell Valley near Ripon, it is reached from the road between Ripon and Pateley Bridge. The ruins are still remarkably intact, with arches, passages and the great tower to admire as you explore.
Being part of the Studley Royal Estate, visitors can also enjoy awe-inspiring scenery, sweeping manicured lawns and the River Skell. It flows past the ruins and through the tranquil Studley Royal Water Garden, with its lakes and carefully designed views. Together, the abbey and garden form a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Mixing old and new
As with all historical attractions, a nod in the direction of modernity is required to cater for today’s visitors, and Fountains Abbey is no exception. There are cafés, shops and a variety of activities on offer. It also makes a dramatic backdrop for photographs that future generations may look at in wonder.
The real wonder of the place, however, must surely be the fact that craftsmen possessed the skills to construct such a beautiful building nearly one thousand years ago.
Plan your visit to Fountains Abbey
Allow time to see both the abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden. Admission charges and opening times vary, and parts of the estate close on some winter dates, so check the National Trust’s current visitor information before travelling. The Visitor Centre route to the abbey is steep; West Gate offers a more level approach.