Fountains Abbey

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden
Fountains Cistercian Abbey: River Skell, Tower & Chapel of Altars
LocationNear Aldfield, North Yorkshire, England
Coordinates54°6′35″N 1°34′53″W / 54.10972°N 1.58139°W / 54.10972; -1.58139
Built1132[1]
Governing bodyNational Trust
OwnerNational Trust
Websitehttps://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/fountains-abbey-and-studley-royal-water-garden
Official nameStudley Royal Park including the Ruins of Fountains Abbey
TypeCultural
Criteriai, iv
Designated1986 (10th session)
Reference no.372
CountryUnited Kingdom
RegionEurope and North America
Listed Building – Grade I
Official nameFountains Abbey, with Ancillary Buildings
Designated11 June 1986
Reference no.1149811[2]
Fountains Abbey is located in North Yorkshire
Fountains Abbey
Location of Fountains Abbey in North Yorkshire

Fountains Abbey is one of the largest and best preserved ruined Cistercian monasteries in England. It is located approximately 3 miles (5 km) south-west of Ripon in North Yorkshire, near to the village of Aldfield. Founded in 1132, the abbey operated for 407 years, becoming one of the wealthiest monasteries in England until its dissolution, by order of Henry VIII, in 1539.

In 1983, Studley Royal Park including the ruins of Fountains Abbey was purchased by the National Trust. The abbey is maintained by English Heritage.

  1. ^ Newcomb, Rexford (1997). "Abbey". In Johnston, Bernard (ed.). Collier's Encyclopedia. Vol. I A to Ameland (First ed.). New York, NY: P.F. Collier. pp. 8–11.
  2. ^ Historic England. "Fountains Abbey with ancillary buildings (1149811)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 9 February 2012.