Lovely views around Fountains Abbey.

The was founded by 13 disgruntled Benedictine monks. The monks sought a simple life monastic life away from the hassle and bustling extravagance of York. They named Fountain Abbey after the water springs in the area. Lay brothers in the church relieved the monks of their duties giving them time to devote themselves to God. The lay brothers multiplied the wealth of Fountain Abbey through cattle rearing, stone quarrying, horse breeding, and wool production. 

King Henry ordered the dissolution of monasteries in 1539. John Aislabie, politician, heir to the property, created the Studley Royal Water Garden after acquiring the property in 1693. The National Trust acquired the property in 1983. Each year, nearly 500,000 people visit this world heritage site. It is recognized as fulfilling the criteria of ‘being a masterpiece of human creative genius’ and ‘an outstanding example of a type of building or architecture that illustrates a significant stage in human history.’