Welcome to Stately Homes

One of the most remarkable places in Europe and a World Heritage Site, comprising the spectacular ruin of a 12th-century Cistercian abbey, an Elizabethan mansion and one of the best surviving examples of a Georgian water garden. Elegant ornamental lakes, canals, temples and cascades provide a succession of dramatic eye-catching vistas. St Mary’s Church provides a majestic focus to the medieval deer park, home to 500 deer and a wealth of flora and fauna.

Note: The National Trust (NT) works in partnership with English Heritage (EH) to care for this site. EH maintains the Abbey (which is owned by the NT) and owns St Mary’s Church (managed by the NT).

Recent Developments

Fountains Mill: When Fountains Mill opened to the public in 2001, for the first time in 800 years, over eight centuries of remarkable industrial activity was once again revealed to visitors as they explored this fascinating building with its waterwheel and millpond. Considered to be one of the finest surviving examples of monastic watermills in Britain, Fountains Mill has been conserved, restored and opened to the public in a joint project with English Heritage. The National Trust owns and manages the Mill and, under a Deed of Guardianship, English Heritage maintains the fabric of the building. Note: The mill is small – please bear this in mind on busy days, ie weekends, BHs and school holidays.

For full details on Opening Times, Admission Prices and How To Get There, why not visit their Website?

Opening Times - 2010:

Abbey/garden/visitor centre/mill:
1st March - 31st October: daily, 10 am - 5 pm
1st November - 31st January: daily except Friday, 10 am - 4 pm

Restaurant:
1st February - 30th April: daily, 10 am - 4 pm
1st May - 31st October: daily, 10 am - 5 pm
1st November - 31st January: daily except Friday, 10 am 4 pm

St Mary's:
1st April - 30th September: daily, 12 - 4 pm

Deer Park
Open Daily during daylight hours (closed 24th and 25th December)
Closes at dusk if earlier

Whole estate closed 24th/25th December and Fridays in November, December & January

Gift Aid Admission - 2010:

Adult - £8.50
Child - £4.55
Family - £21.60

Groups (16-30):
Adult - £7.25

Groups (30+):
Adult - £7

St Mary's Church: free
* National Trust, English Heritage Members and under 5s Free.

For other National Trust properties in the area please Click Here.

More information on the garden can be found on The Gardens Guide.