Name: Fountains Abbey Christmas Event : Around 16-17 miles,undulating uppy-downies.
Start: 2024-12-22T09:37:00Z
End: 2024-12-22T16:23:00Z

Setting off from the car park, near the toilet block, north, then north west to Newton Hall, through Cayton. Haddockstones and then around Fountain's Abbey with views of the lakes, obelisk, perhaps towers and temples.

Returning along The Ripon Rowel via Markenfield Hall, with a moat and possibly Black Swans.

Continuing southwards on tracks and field paths to Ripley.

The walk will be at a decent pace, to keep warm, with a couple of short breaks at suitable stops, probably Fountain's Abbey for one, overlooking the lake, near the deer feeding areas.

The route is generally along field paths and bridleways, tracks, some back roads and rough ground.

Generally undulating (with no major hills, surprise, surprise) but generally all round good views, depending on the weather.

Mud & bog can be guaranteed! Please dress appropriately, absolutely no jeans.

Please bring food, drink and clothing and headtorch for a full day's winter walking.

Fountains has some free/paid events scheduled. The following are taken from the Fountain's Abbey web page, for reference.

We have seen the deer in the past on this walk - in sight, but just far enough away from their point of view.

On the hoof' deer walks:

Every Saturday & Sunday in December (excluding 24&25) 11:30am
Trot along to the deer park, just past St Mary's Church to watch the wild deer munching through their winter feed. Can you spot the difference between the Red, Sika and Fallow deer? Our deer ranger will give you some pointers and you'll learn about their job managing the wild herd.

Take a free guided tour of the abbey and water garden
Every Saturday & Sunday
Wrap up warm and learn more about this special place on a guided tour in the crisp winter air. Numbers are limited so please speak to a member of the welcome team when you arrive at admissions.
Winter Garden tour (11.30am)
Fountains Abbey became the greatest folly of all when John Aislabie created his water garden at Studley Royal. See the World Heritage Site as the Georgians did on this guided tour of the dramatic designed landscape.
Winter Abbey tour (1.30pm)
If these walls could talk...unearth the monastic secrets of a great abbey and the daily routines of the monks who lived here on this guided tour.

Grab a hot chocolate and warm up with a mince pie
The restaurant is open and serving up some seasonal favourites!
You'll be hard pushed to stop nibbling at fresh baked mince pies and Christmas cake. Try them out with a steaming cup of tea or coffee to keep you warm as you explore.

Music and Lights-possibly this is a paid event as within the grounds, but will have to enquire and maybe too long to wait/darkness approaches.
You've finished the Christmas shopping, explored the family trail and been revived by a warming mug of hot chocolate. Now it's time for Music and Lights. As twilight falls see the abbey aglow with all the colours of the rainbow. Walk beneath the cellarium's vaulted ceilings, under the grand columns of the nave and stop to watch the live choirs and bands fill the ruins with festive music. Join in if you know the tune!

Choirs and bands will be performing in the cellarium 2-3pm. The estate will close at 5:00pm as usual. You don't need to book a ticket to visit as Music and Lights is part of normal admission.

Carols by Candlelight

Service starts at 3pm
As Christmas fast approaches it’s time for our annual carol service. This year, we will be limiting the number of visitors into the cellarium, so you’ll need to pick up a ticket to join in with the service.

From 1pm there’ll be a marquee on the west side of the abbey, near Porter’s Lodge where we’ll be giving out tickets. We'd recommend arriving in plenty of time as tickets are limited and first come-first-served. The cellarium will be closed to visitors without tickets from 1:30pm until after the service.

Please dress appropriately, absolutely no jeans.

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Fountains Abbey Christmas Event : Around 16-17 miles,undulating uppy-downies.

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Fountains Abbey Christmas Event : Around 16-17 miles,undulating uppy-downies.

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