{"id":20847,"date":"2022-10-27T12:00:18","date_gmt":"2022-10-27T10:00:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/?p=20107"},"modified":"2022-10-27T12:25:16","modified_gmt":"2022-10-27T10:25:16","slug":"fountains-abbey-history-opening-times-parkrun-walks-and-map","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/rss_feed\/fountains-abbey-history-opening-times-parkrun-walks-and-map\/","title":{"rendered":"Fountains Abbey: history, opening times, parkrun, walks and map"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By countryfile\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Thursday, 27 October 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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It\u2019s not often you can spend more than an hour or so around a ruin \u2013 but at Fountains Abbey you\u2019ll certainly need at least that.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s firstly because this is the largest and most complete Cistercian monastery left in England, and secondly because it has been incorporated into a spectacular royal park.<\/p>\n

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The ruins of Fountains Abbey on a fine autumn morning\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

History of Fountains Abbey<\/h2>\n

The abbey\u2019s story begins in 1132, when 13 monks from St Mary\u2019s Abbey in York were granted land at Fountains to start a new abbey. Throughout the 1200s, the abbey grew in size, power and wealth. But by the 14th century, the combination of a rising tax bill, the invasion of northern England by the Scots and the Black Death almost brought it to its knees. However, in the early 15th century, the abbey regained some power and prestige \u2013 but it wasn\u2019t to last.<\/p>\n

Henry VIII\u2019s dissolution of the monasteries is, of course, the reason these fantastic buildings are in such a state of ruin today. But the reason so much of the impressive abbey remains complete is that the king intended to use the site for his own ends. A change of plans led to partial demolition in 1540.<\/p>\n

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Fountains Abbey in winter\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

The new owner of the site did make the abbey completely unusable again, as his king decreed \u2013 but he didn\u2019t really do the full job, as he wanted to make a house from the ruin.<\/p>\n

In 1693, the Aislabie family inherited Studley Estate, just north of Fountains, creating the impressive Studley Royal House and possibly the greatest 18th-century water garden in England, with ornamental lakes, cascades, temples and canals cutting through stunning scenery.<\/p>\n

So, when you visit today, you\u2019ll be spoilt for what to see first in the 800 acres of parkland. The ruins of the abbey are a big draw: you might think with Listed and World Heritage status, you\u2019d be kept well away from the abbey, but that isn\u2019t the case.<\/p>\n

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