20 Attractions to Explore Near Fountains Abbey

Ripon Cathedral is a cathedral in the North Yorkshire city of Ripon. Founded as a monastery by Scottish monks in the 660s, it was refounded as a Benedictine monastery by St Wilfrid in 672. The church became collegiate in the tenth century and acted as a mother church within the large Diocese of York for the remainder of the Middle ages. The cathedral is notable architecturally for its gothic west front in the Early English style, considered one of the best of its type, as well as the Geometric

A beautiful seventeenth-century brick house and a mainly twentieth-century garden by Major Edward Compton. It is 3 miles south-east of Ripon and 6 miles south of Topcliffe Castle, by which the manor of Newby was originally held. A Grade I listed building, the hall contains a collection of furniture and paintings and is surrounded by extensive gardens. Newby Hall is open to the public.

Brimham Rocks is an amazing collection of natural rock formations in North Yorkshire, managed by the National Trust. The site is known for its water- and weather-eroded rocks, which were formed over 325 million years ago and have assumed fantastic shapes. The site, notified as SSSI in 1958, is an outcrop of Millstone Grit, with small areas of birch woodland and a large area of wet and dry heath.

Lightwater Valley in Ripon, North Yorkshire, is bursting with fun and adventures for the family to enjoy with over 30 rides and attractions. There is also fantastic family fun rides and attractions; including the Lightwater Express train ride around the park, Eagle's Creek Farm tractor ride, a selection of fairground and water rides, plus the Adventure Playground and Mini Sand Diggers.

A majestic 700-year-old castle steeped in history with magnificent grounds, lakes, Deer Park, Walled Gardens, Hothouses, and Kitchen Garden. It has been the home of the Ingilby family for twenty-six generations and Sir Thomas and Lady Ingilby and their five children continue the tradition. A gatehouse that stands some 260 feet to the south of the main buildings is also Grade I listed, whilst the two weirs over Ripley Beck are grade II listed and the grounds and gardens are also listed at grade I

Newby Hall is the family home of Mr & Mrs. Richard Compton, is one of England's finest houses, an exceptional example of 18th-century interior decoration. It is 3 miles south-east of Ripon and 6 miles south of Topcliffe Castle, by which the manor of Newby was originally held. A Grade I listed building, the hall contains a collection of furniture and paintings and is surrounded by extensive gardens. Newby Hall is open to the public.

Nidderdale AONB is a beautiful landscape full of contrasts and rich in wildlife that covers 233 square miles of Northern England in the county of North Yorkshire. The landscape and valleys have been molded down the centuries by the practices of agriculture, mining, quarrying, textiles and so more. The area is said to contain "remains from over 6,000 years of human activity"; there is evidence of "almost continuous settlement over this time with the exception of the Roman period for which evidenc

Hackfall is a stunning woodland site near Masham, with lakes, waterfalls, follies and an intricate network of paths to explore stretching along the banks of the River Ure. During the 18th century it was landscaped in the picturesque style by landowner William Aislabie, who created views by engineering streams and pools, planting trees and building follies.

The Himalayan Garden and Sculpture Park is home to over 80 striking contemporary sculptures, situated within 45 acres of stunning woodland and gardens. The Park features works by internationally renowned artists, all inspired by nature. The beautiful tranquil valley location is further enhanced by a Pagoda, Summerhouse, Norse Hut, Contemplation Circle and Himalayan Shelter, all complimented by three lakes and decorative bridges.

Nidderdale Museum is a local and social history museum in the market town of Pateley Bridge in Nidderdale. It has 11 rooms that illustrate the rural life of Nidderdale, including an original cobbler’s shop, a school room, and Victorian parlor. This Museum has a large collection of exhibits, illustrating different aspects of life and work in Nidderdale through the ages. Run entirely by a dedicated team of volunteers, Nidderdale Museum has lots for visitors to see.

The Mercer Art Gallery is home to Harrogate district's fine art collection which consists of some 2000 works of art, mainly from the 19th and 20th centuries. Among them are examples by William Powell Frith, John Atkinson Grimshaw, Sir Edward Burne-Jones, Dame Laura Knight and Alan Davie. The gallery boasts a diverse exhibition programme featuring painting, photography, sculpture and crafts.

The Turkish Baths Harrogate is the flagship Harrogate spa experience, offering genuine Victorian Turkish baths surroundings and contemporary treatments. The 124-year-old spa, run by Harrogate council, has previously had swimwear-free options at single-sex sessions.

The Royal Pump Room Museum tells the story of Harrogate's heyday as a fashionable spa town when over 1,500 glasses of heavily sulphured spa water were served every day to visitors who came to 'take the waters. Today, the Pump Room consists of both the original 1842 stone rotunda and a glazed annexe which was opened in 1913. The Pump Room offered guests of the town an all-weather facility where they could drink sulphur water which was pumped on-site from a natural spring known as the Old Sulphur

Mother Shipton's Cave is at Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, England, near the River Nidd. Nearby is a petrifying well, also known as a dropping well. The latter is the oldest tourist attraction to charge a fee in England and has been operating since 1630. The water of the well is so rich in sulphate and carbonate that artefacts may be put in the well to be "petrified" as a tourist attraction.

Bettys and Taylors of Harrogate, also known as Bettys and Taylors Group Limited, is a family company based in Yorkshire, England. The company's brands are Bettys, Taylors of Harrogate and Yorkshire Tea. Bettys Café Tea Rooms are traditional tea rooms serving traditional meals with influences both from Switzerland and Yorkshire. Taylors.

Knaresborough Castle is beautifully set overlooking the River Nidd. Explore the castle independently or join a tour to discover the history of the King’s Chamber, visit the dungeon and scurry through the secret underground exit. The remains of the castle are open to the public and there is a charge for entry to the interior remains. The grounds are used as a public leisure space, with a bowling green and putting green open during summer. It is also used as a performing space, with bands playing

Harlow Carr is a showcase of horticultural excellence and it is one of England’s most relaxing and innovative gardens at the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales. You can wander through the tranquil surroundings of this stunning 58-acre garden and gain ideas for your own borders, or simply relax with family and friends on a leisurely stroll.

Fewston Reservoir is located in the Washburn valley north of Otley and west of Harrogate in Yorkshire, England. It was built in 1879. The capacity is about 3.5 million cubic meters. It was surrounded by mixed, mostly coniferous woodland, the paths are well maintained on the 3.7-mile walk, which is flat virtually all the way around. Cyclists and horse-riders can also make use of their own permitted tracks in the surrounding woodlands.

Thorp Perrow Arboretum offers you 100 acres of beautiful woodland walks, trails and glades to explore, and holds one of the finest tree collections in the North of England. t the Bird of Prey and Captive Breeding Centre learn about our birds of prey and associated wildlife. See owls and falcons born through our successful breeding programme during spring.

Allerton Castle is one of England’s most elegant and illustrious gothic revival stately homes, surrounded by 200 acres of land. The home is rated a Grade I by English Heritage, making it one of the most important Gothic Revival homes in all of England. It is ten miles east of Harrogate and just east of the A1, at its junction with the A59 York-Knaresborough road and a late 20th-century block used for education and corporate functions.