Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Gardens

 As we were heading somewhere new on an adventure last weekend, I thought it would be a good idea to break the journey somewhere new on the way - Fountains Abbey and the adjoining water gardens of Studley Royal.

My intention had been to just stop briefly, have lunch and a half hour's walk around - but it proved too interesting, so we stayed much longer, though still without exploring everywhere

The abbey ruins sit in a valley, and approaching from the visitor reception area you first see what appears to be the normal-sized tower of a church. It's only as you drop down into the valley that the real height of the tower becomes apparent.

As we were limited for time, we didn't stay to investigate the ruins (something for another trip) but moved on to the water gardens which looked beautiful and serene on this sunny, chilly day.

A straight 'canal' leads to the circular Moon pond, flanked by crescent ponds, and overlooked by the Temple of Piety.

The waterside path then leads on to Studley Lake where manicured grounds give way to a more natural park. Having already spent more time here than we'd intended, we crossed the bridge and returned on the opposite side of the valley, leaving the deer park to be explored another time.

There's so much to be seen that I could easily spend a whole day wandering around. Maybe a plan for next spring ...