FAQs
Below are some of the questions we get asked on a regular basis.
If your question is not listed, then please contact us and we'll be delighted to assist you.
I am an English Heritage member, do I need to pay to get in?
No, English Heritage members can come in for free when they show their membership
card at an admission point.
I am a National Trust member, do I need to pay to get in?
No, Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Estate is a National Trust site, so members
do not need to pay.
Can I bring my dog?
Yes. Dogs are allowed on the estate if they are kept on a short lead at all times.
We ask that owners clear up after their pets responsibly and use the dog waste
bins provided.
Can I ride my bike on the estate?
Bikes cannot be ridden in the pay for entry areas around the Abbey and Water
Garden. Bikes can be ridden in the Deer Park on the main vehicular access roads;
there are no bridle paths in the Deer Park.
Can I bring my car into the site?
Free parking is available at the Visitor Centre and West Gate entrances. Parking
at lakeside incurs a £3 charge. Vehicles are not permitted within the Abbey grounds
or Water Garden.
When are you open?
When does Lakeside Tea Room open/close?
The Tea Room opening times vary, please telephone 01765 608888 for further information.
When does the restaurant open/close?
Daily April to October 10am to 5pm (Last service 4.30pm)
Daily November to March 10am to 4pm
Closed on Fridays in November, December and January.
Can I have a BBQ?
No open fires / BBQ are allowed on site.
Is there a picnic site?
There is no specific picnic site, but there are benches all around the estate
which you can use for picnics. Alternatively bring rugs and use the lawns. Please
take your rubbish home with you.
Which areas are accessible in wheelchairs/batricars?
Do any of the buildings have lifts?
The Mill has a lift for less able visitors.
During holidays can I drop my kids off at Swanley Grange Family Learning Centre?
Unfortunately we do not have the resources available for this. Children must
be accompanied at all times.
Do you have holiday cottages - Can I book one?
Can I hold my special event here?
We can accommodate a wide range of events at Fountains Abbey, including Weddings,
events and corporate entertainment.
Can I get married in the Abbey?
There are restrictions on whereabouts you can marry within the estate.
- Please see the Weddings and Special Events section for more details.
Can I get married in St Mary’s Church?
St Mary’s Church is a listed historic building owned by English Heritage and
managed by the National Trust. Initial enquiries regarding weddings must be directed
to the Weddings and Functions Coordinator to ensure that the building is available.
For weddings, christenings and funerals in the church, permission also needs
to be sought from the Reverend Robert Sellers, Rector of the Parish of Fountains.
Contact the estate office for contact details.
For weddings a special license is required from the Archbishop of Canterbury. The
bridal couple must discuss their application for a license with the Reverend Robert
Sellers. Only couples who live on the estate or within the parish (Studley Roger
& Aldfield villages) are eligible for a special license to wed in the church.'
Can I be buried at Fountains?
Regrettably not; there are no burial grounds here.
I am a student do you have any information on Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal
Estate?
Some historical information can be found on the What to see pages and the World Heritage Site page. However we suggest you visit the Cistercian website belonging to Sheffield University.
Have you got any current vacancies?
Please visit our jobs section of a listing of current vacancies at Fountains Abbey.
I am researching my family tree do you have any records?
No such records are held at Fountains Abbey. We suggest you contact West Yorkshire
Archives Service, Leeds - 0113 214 5814, Ripon Library Local Studies Centre or
Northallerton Local Records Office.
Where are the Fountains?
The reason we are called Fountains Abbey remains a mystery.
Are there any formal flower gardens?
No. Studley Royal is an 18th Century landscape garden.
We are coming up to Yorkshire, can you recommend a hotel or guesthouse?
We are unable to recommend individual properties; see www.enjoyharrogate.com or other website listings for information on accommodation in the local area.
How far are you from Harrogate/ York?
9 miles from Harrogate. 29 Miles from York. Please see the How to find us for more details and directions.
I would like to visit 3 or more places in a day, how long do I need to get round
Fountains?
This is a large estate we would suggest at least 2 hours. Please see our interactive map and suggested itineraries to help you plan your visit.
Do you have reduced prices for students/OAP/unemployed/groups?
We offer group discounts, but not concessionary rates. Please see our Group Visits page for more information.
Do you have a camp site?
There is no camping available on site.
Can I stay overnight in my camper van?
Overnight parking is not permitted anywhere on the Estate.
Can I pay to come with Euros?
At the present time, we can only accept UK Sterling. We accept cash payments,
credit and debit cards.
Can I have a batricar?
Batricars can only be pre-booked prior to your visit by telephoning 01765 608888.
Please see our Access section for more information.
Is there free coach parking?
Yes. Coaches can park at the Visitor Centre car park. West Gate and Lakeside
car parks have restricted access and are for cars only.
Is there access for disabled visitors?
Please see our Access section for more information.
Can tables be reserved in the restaurant?
The restaurant is often very busy and therefore we do not offer table reservations.
We do however accept some reservations for group catering, please see the Group Visits section for more information.
Can I get to Fountains on public transport?
There's an hourly shuttle bus service between Ripon Bus Station and Fountains
Abbey Visitor Centre (service 139) on Summer Sundays and Bank Holidays, together
with DalesBus services to Fountains Abbey from Leeds (service 820) and York (service
812).
On Mondays to Saturdays all year round there's a more limited service to Fountains Abbey on Ripon Roweller route 139 from Ripon. There are regular Monday to Saturday buses to Ripon from Leeds and Harrogate (service 36 every 20 minutes, also every 30 minutes on Sundays), from York (service 142/143 approximately every hour) and from Richmond and Leyburn (service 159 approximately every 2 hours).
Full details of all bus services to Fountains Abbey are available online at www.dalesbus.org and from Traveline on 0871 200 22 33.
An added bonus for those arriving by bus is half price admission to Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal - simply show a valid bus ticket to obtain your discount.
To reach Fountains Abbey from Ripon it’s also possible to take a taxi from the Market Square (Ripon City Market Taxis: Tel 01765 609909), or to walk (approx 4 miles each way).
On Mondays to Saturdays all year round there's a more limited service to Fountains Abbey on Ripon Roweller route 139 from Ripon. There are regular Monday to Saturday buses to Ripon from Leeds and Harrogate (service 36 every 20 minutes, also every 30 minutes on Sundays), from York (service 142/143 approximately every hour) and from Richmond and Leyburn (service 159 approximately every 2 hours).
Full details of all bus services to Fountains Abbey are available online at www.dalesbus.org and from Traveline on 0871 200 22 33.
An added bonus for those arriving by bus is half price admission to Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal - simply show a valid bus ticket to obtain your discount.
To reach Fountains Abbey from Ripon it’s also possible to take a taxi from the Market Square (Ripon City Market Taxis: Tel 01765 609909), or to walk (approx 4 miles each way).
Service No: 36
Harrogate & District Travel (Tel: 01423 566061)
Leeds-Harrogate-Ripon.
Service No: 142
Harrogate District Travel (Tel: 01423 566061)
Ripon-Boroughbridge-York.
Ripon Roweller (Tel 01423 526655)
Variable service to and from Ripon.
