Having had a look at the ruins of Fountains Abbey and Fountains Hall over the past few days, it is now time to have a look at the gardens.
The water gardens at Studley Royal were created by John Aislabie in 1718 and they are one of the best surviving examples of Georgian water gardens in England. It was expanded by his son, William who purchased the adjacent Fountains Estate.
The garden's elegant ornamental lakes, canals, temples and cascades provide a succession of dramatic eye-catching vistas. It is also studded with a number of follies and sculptures.
In this collage the main view looks along the canal with various ponds to the right. In the centre can be seen the Octagon Tower, one of the follies found along a path through the woodland above the valley side.
The Octagon Tower can be seen in the small shot, top right, with a tunnel running below it. This is part of the path from the water gardens up the hillside to the tower.
The view down to the water gardens from the Octagon Tower can be seen in the lower of the small shots. Several of the views had become obstructed by trees and other vegetation, but a programme of work is returning the gardens to how they would have been and the views from the follies are being recreated.
This is an excellent place for a stroll, or to sit and enjoy the varied and interesting gardens.
Thank you Richard. That's all for now from Fountains, but there is still more that we didn't cover - the deer in the deer park and a lovely ornate Victorian church for example. If you get to Yorkshire I can recommend a visit to this lovely place!
Thank you Ferry, and thank you for the fav! These gardens really are beautiful.
Ian
Thank you Lynn, we had a lovely time exploring these gardens.
Ian
Thank you Brian - these gardens are really well looked after.
Ian
Thank you Molly - these gardens and the abbey and hall ruins make a fascinating place to visit.
Ian
Thank you Therese, they are beautiful gardens.
Ian
Thank you Diane, his is a lovely place to explore.
Ian
Thank you Bob - these gardens are lovely now that much of the restoration has been completed.
Ian
Thank you Lynne - the walk up to the tower and along the upper edge of the valley is really lovely.
Ian
Thank you Richard. That's all for now from Fountains, but there is still more that we didn't cover - the deer in the deer park and a lovely ornate Victorian church for example. If you get to Yorkshire I can recommend a visit to this lovely place!
Ian
Thank you Graham, and thank you for the fav!
Ian
Thank you Steve and Pam - it is a wonderful place for a day out, and there is so much to see!
Ian
Thank you Tony - these gardens are quite superb now the restoration is almost complete.
Ian
Thank you Ivan - it's a lovely place to visit!
Ian