Vast Cistercian ruin in a water garden.
Open to visitorsa National Trust place — check opening times and admission before you go
John Aislabie began this cool green water garden in 1718, after a financial scandal chased him out of politics, and poured the rest of his life into it. Mirror-still ponds, canals and cascades are arranged to draw the eye from one temple or folly to the next, and the whole design leads towards the dramatic ruins of Fountains Abbey at its far end. It’s run by the National Trust and, together with the abbey, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Open year-round; a stunning place for a long, unhurried wander.
