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Place to go: Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal
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Title: | Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal
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Location: |
Ripon |
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Cost: |
£ 5.50 |
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Contact: |
Telephone: 01765 608888 |
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North Yorkshire |
| Map Link: |
Show Map |
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Access Details: |
The site is huge, but access in easy, tarmac paths lead to the Abbey.
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| Web Link: |
Show Website |
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Facilities: |
Visitors Centre, restaurant, shop, education department, activity centre, Mill museum
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Description:
A World Heritage and National Trust site of what was once the richest Abbey in Europe, situated in Studley Royal park, which includes other attractions.
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Review:
Established in 1132 by thirteen monks from York, Fountains Abbey became one of the richest Cistercian Abbeys in Europe. The Visitors Centre is impressive, with a large shop and information desk. The Abbey is a half-mile walk from the visitors centre, although this is mainly downhill, half way down we come to the Swanley Grange activity centre, which contains an exhibition and education centre. One comes up to Fountains Abbey on the west side, onto the West Green where free guided tours begin, there are three tours a day in the summer. The Abbey is still impressive in its ruined state, as most of the Abbey Church walls stand to two or more stories, with the North Transept almost complete. The Cellarium has been partly reconstructed, leading to the Reredorter, which has lavatories over the River Skell. One aspect of the site that does impress is the state of preservation, floor tiles are visible, one can see remains of the plaster that once covered the walls, as well as some plaster painted to simulate stonework. The Cloister is complete enough to give an idea of its original purpose, the other buildings are easily recognisable. A short walk from the Lay Brothers Infirmary, which is also built over the river, is Fountains Mill. Fountains Mill was originally the Abbey mill, it remained a working mill until 1927, visitors can examine aspects of the 800 years of the Mill as well as further artefacts from the Abbey. The beautiful location makes a visit to the site a pleasure in itself, but the importance of the Abbey and the impressive nature of the site would make any visit a delight.
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Updated: 09 August 2004
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