Studley Royal is a 800 acres Park, that includes an 18th Century landscaped garden, the ruins of Fountains Abbey, Fountains Hall Jacobean mansion and St Mary’s Church.
Fountains Abbey is the best preserved ruined Cistercian monastery in England. Now in UNESCO’s world heritage site list and managed by National Trust. For the fans of more modern history, the location was used in OMD’s Maid of Orlean’s music clip. And Fountains Hall was built between 1598 and 1611.
St Mary’s Church – a stunning Victorian Gothic Revival Church designed by William Burges. The inside is particularly impressive.
This walk also takes us to Markenfield Hall a beautiful moated manor house which is still inhabited by the family and can open to the public for 32 days each year
As we did this walk in the winter, we did not have time to visit all those fascinating places; but hoping to go back in Summer and combine the walk with a full tour.
Click on the image above to be take to the route on Komoot – Feel free to ask me for links on other walking apps
Stats
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Length | 9.5 mi – 15.3 km |
| Total elevation | 1,529 ft – 476m |
| Highest point | 560 ft – 171m |
| Walking time | 4h15 |
| Terrain | mostly footpaths, hiking paths, and some road |
| Equipment | Good boots, it can get muddy in Places. Enough water to last you for 4 hours. Plenty of snacks as there are no cafe facilities en route (except start and end point). a good map or gPS |
View route (Click on menu to reveal the image)
Click here for Komoot Link
Getting there
- Driving: National Trust car-park at the start point.
- Public transport: Take the train to Harrogate then bus to Studley Royal
Watering Holes
- Several options from National Trust – at start / finish
The Visitor Centre Restaurant: serves a range of seasonal food. If you’re not feeling peckish, you can simply enjoy a cup of tea, coffee or hot chocolate. Indoor and outdoor seating is available
Studley Tearoom: perfect if you’re looking for a light bite or a cup of tea before your walk. Grab a quick lunch or snack to enjoy inside the tea-room or on the outdoor tables overlooking the lake.
The Mill Cafe: the place to go for a light bite to eat, sweet treat and a drink if you’re exploring the area by the abbey. With seating inside and benches outside, it’s the perfect spot for enjoying the lovely view across the green. - The Water Rat – Rippon – 2.5 miles from the start
A fab pub only a short drive away(9 mins) from the end of the walk.
For the long distance walkers, it would add 5 miles there and back or about 1 hr.
Make a week-end of it – Where to stay and eat
Make a weekend of it.
Nidderdale is classed as an Area of Outstanding Beauty and there are many walks there.
Alternatively, Harrogate is a wonderful place to spend the week-end. It has a wide range of place to eat and drink. Independent shops and for more cultural activities you can visit the Turkish Bath.
For luxury glamping: Yurtshire Glamping
They have 2 different locations which are only 2 miles apart in the area.
Each yurts have en-suite bathrooms with hot-showers. And private hot-tubs outside.
They all come with kitchenette and fire-pits / barbecues.
Each yurts sleep up to 4 people.
Requires a 2 nights minimum stay at week-end but can be booked for single nights from Sun-Thur.
For self-catering options: Several cottages and appartement options – Ripon
Booking.com offers an array of options
For a cosy stay: The Royal Oak – Ripon
A gastro-pub with reasonably priced room for the area.
They have 3 rooms (double or king) and DBB options available.
For larger groups: Chorister House
A 5 bedroom luxury property belonging to the National Trust.
It needs a 3 nights booking minimum but would work out at c. £50-70 / night / pp
Peregrinating the North West and Beyond 