Day 18 - Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden

When we first met Peter, the owner of our holiday home gave us some ideas of things to do and suggested we visit Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Gardens.  As the weather forecast was good for Sunday, today, we decided to visit.

It was about an hour to drive there, so we had a later start, and a bit of a sleep in... Which was lovely. 

There are two entry points one at the water garden and one at the Abbey.  We accidentally and luckily started at the Abbey end.  There was a restaurant there, and we ordered our lunch.  I had mushroom, leek and pumpkin in a cheese sauce crumble which was delicious.

The Abbey is a ruin as it was one of the richest in England and was closed by Henry VIII.  Because it is so far north it wasn't completely destroyed and apparently has the most complete ruins in the country. It was a glorious day, and there were heaps of people picnicking in the grounds.  And lots of children!

There is an amazing room which still had the roof intact, which I think was the Cellarium.  It is very long and has double interlocking arches in long rows.

Inside the church, I think where the altar used to go there is a beautifully tiled section.

It is a beautiful location! And a glorious day!

We then walked down the river to the Studley Royal Water Gardens, which were designed in 18th century and haven't changed much since then.

It really is a lovely place and it was a beautiful day.

I  have downloaded the National Trust's app which is excellent as it has a Near Me function and the lets you see what times/days the location is open and what facilities it has. I would recommended it if you come here and join thenNational Trust.

On the app it was showing another National Trust location nearby, so we visited Brimham Rocks.  They are some amazingly shaped sandstone rocks, and there were people climbing all over them!  There are great views too as it is up the top of a hill...

I thought this next one looked a bit like a frog!

We went home via Skipton and stopped at the Woolly Sheep for dinner - belly pork with crackling, apple, red cabbage, mash and black pudding.  I didn't eat the black pudding but Peter did.  The home to bed, as I really wasn't well by now!!!