Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal - National Trust

For centuries people have been drawn to this inspiring place. From humble beginnings the magnificent abbey was established by devout monks seeking a simpler existence. The atmospheric ruins that remain are a window into a way of life which shaped the medieval world. When the socially ambitious John Aislabie inherited Studley Royal he set about creating an elegant water garden of mirror-like ponds, statues and follies, incorporating the romantic ruins into his design. One of a kind, this special place is now recognised as a World Heritage site.