Fountains Abbey, Ripon

Absolutely beautiful place. Bit pricey, but if you visit on a nice day and stay for a picnic it's worth the money. There is so much more to see than the Abbey. The park is huge and the further you get into it the prettier it seems to get. There is wild deer at the far end. Dog friendly too, which is always a bonus for us.

Incredible place. Steeped in history. There is plenty of parking, reception is efficient. Non National trust members costs £17 (I think). The ground are incredible and extensive you can walk around and through the ruined Abbey. Some of the stone vaulted ceilings are intact and you can walk through, feeling the history. There is one area you can walk on the floor above the vaulted ceilings. The remains of the huge arched windows give a clue to the original magnificence. The drying room is intact and still has the 5 storey chimney. Walking the grounds there are many buildings and follies. The Water gardens are stunning and there are several cafes for a cold/hot drink and snack. This is an excellent day out for the whole family.