19th March 2023
As usual, on our way home, we chose to visit somewhere to extend the weekend Being in Ripon, the obvious choice was Fountains Abbey.
But first we needed to get away from Ripon Racecourse, which if anything, had become more soggy with further heavy showers during our stay. Despite the grip-mats (which had helped us not sink in), we still managed to get stuck. The mats did not live up to their name – they did not grip, slipping straight under the wheels, shooting out backwards. Fufu was not for moving; she had well and truly dug her tyres in. Our great thanks to the three fellow caravanners/motorhomers who helped Alison push us back onto firmer ground.
The Abbey
Much has been written about Fountains Abbey, one of the largest and best preserved Cistercian monasteries in the country. It is set in beautiful countryside defying the imagination to think what it must have been like in its heyday. Today, it is a very popular day-trip destination with both National Trust and English Heritage members having free access.
Studley Royal
Studley Royal Deer Park was where Studley Hall once stood. It burned down in 1946. In the valley, downstream from Fountains Abbey, the owner of Studley Hall, built a water garden by controlling the river with a series of weirs and creating shallow lakes.
Fountains Mill
Fountains Mill which is upstream from the abbey, was one of only a few buildings to remain unscathed by the dissolution of the monasteries by King Henry VIII. Probably because it was able to produce an income independently.
Fountains Hall
A little further upstream from the abbey and mill, is Fountains Hall. An impressive medieval building, a little of which is open to the public.
The hall has some very old furniture. One in particular caught my eye, but I do not know if it is original to the house.
"See-u-Later" 