Nidderdale & Washburn Walks

Fountains Abbey

Date: 7th October 2012
Distance: 3.6 miles
Ascent: 425 feet
Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
With: Lisa and Rhiannon
Start Grid Ref: SE273686

Walk Summary:
A great little family walk visiting the impressive ruins of Fountains Abbey and the beautiful Studley Water Gardens.

Route Summary: A simple circuit round the grounds of Fountains Abbey.

Pictures:

1. Fountains Abbey

2. Looking back along the Skell to Fountains Abbey

3. A particularly attractive bend in the River Skell

4. The Surpise View

5. The Temple of Fame

6. The Octagon Tower

7. Crossing the River Skell in front of Studley Lake

8. Studley Lake

9. Studley Water Garden

10. Fountains Abbey

11. The well preserved cellarium

Walk Detail: The combination of the magnificent remains of Fountains Abbey, the largest monastic ruin in Britain, and the beautiful Georgian era Studley Water Gardens make this a beautiful and fascinating walk. It also has plenty to keep the young ones interested so made a perfect walk to take Rhiannon on, especially on such a nice sunny day as this was.

It is actually the second time we've taken Rhiannon on this walk, the first time was in February the previous year. On that occasion I had to help her along with a few shoulder rides. This time around she actually ran a lot of the way as she tried turning the walk into an extended game of tag.

The Water Garden, created by John Aislabie in 1718 is really quite pretty and I never fail to be impressed by the ruins of Fountains Abbey and I particularly like the vaulted cellarium. The only downside to the walk was that I was full of cold and I have to admit that by the end of the walk I was absolutely shattered.

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