Overview

Welcome to Fountains Abbey in Ripon. Families can step back in time to explore ancient ruins, stroll through beautiful gardens, and discover hidden waterfalls. Surrounded by beautiful scenery enjoy a day of adventure, picnics, and maybe a game of hide-and-seek among the ruins. Fountains Abbey will enchant any family with its timeless charm.

Things to do

At Fountains Abbey, there’s something for everyone in the family to enjoy.

Explore Ancient Ruins and let little ones pretend they are knights and princesses whilst wandering through old stone walls and secret passages. Don’t forget to take some fantastic family pictures!

Then take a break from the castle to roam and explore the beautiful gardens. There are ponds to skip stones in, flowers to smell, and plenty of spots for a family picnic.

Fountains Abbey, part of the National Trust offers lots of activities including the list of ’50 things to do before you’re 11¾’. Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal are great places for children to become explorers with the ’50 things’ activities available all year.

The ’50 things’ include activities such as getting to know a tree. With so many trees to choose from children will have fun looking out for leaf shapes, exploring textures on the bark, and seeking tiny creatures that might live on the tree. Or, why not have fun with sticks? Let the kid’s imagination run wild by building a den, making a trail, or creating their own game. Sticks make perfect wands.

For those who are as quiet as a mouse look out for some feathered friends and become a successful bird watcher. To release a bit of energy follow the paths to discover hidden waterfalls and enjoy the sound of the water flowing.

Families can take part in a friendly guided tour to learn all sorts of cool stories about Fountain Abbeys’ past. It’s like getting a history lesson, but way more fun!

Whether playing tag or having a race, there’s plenty of room for family fun in the great outdoors. There is even an on-site outdoor park including things to wobble along, jump over, and climb on. The children will love the wooden abbey, woodland lookout, scramble nets and posts, swings, fireman’s poles, a slide, and a gigantic rope bridge for the most daring adventurers of all. There’s also a five-point harness swing for our younger visitors with additional access needs.

At the end of a fun-packed day head to the children’s corner in the shop to pick up some cool stuff for any little explorer. There is everything from den-making kits and binoculars to bug-tracking tools and stationery with a great selection of pocket-money picks available.

Please note: 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. There is a steep 15-20% gradient from the visitor centre to the estate. This is not recommended for wheelchair or powered mobility vehicle users. The accessible car park is located at our West Gate entrance and allows level access to the grounds.

Dogs are very welcome in all outdoor spaces, but please keep them on a short lead. Dogs are also welcome in admissions, the shop, and visitor centre restaurant.

Food & Drink

Fountains Abbey offers different options for places to eat on-site depending on when the hunger hits:

Indulge in a variety of seasonal delights at the Visitor Centre Restaurant. From hearty hot meals to scrumptious sandwiches and sweet treats, there’s something for everyone. For those in the mood for a warm drink, then choose from tea, coffee, or hot chocolate. Relax in indoor or outdoor seating areas, or grab goodies to go to keep exploring.

For a light bite or a cozy cup of tea, head to the Studley Royal tearoom. Enjoy a quick lunch or snack either indoors or in the outdoor ambiance overlooking the picturesque lake. for families on the move, feel free to grab a treat whilst venturing further on..

Craving a snack while exploring the abbey area? Swing by The Mill Kiosk for a delicious bite, sweet indulgence, or refreshing drink. With benches outside, it’s the perfect spot to savor treats while taking in the scenic view across the lush green surroundings.

Or, families preferring to bring a picnic then find a lovely picturesque spot on the ample grassy areas.