Blue sky thinking

Monday, 12 July 2010 09:00

We thought about it, but thinking was not enough

There was no blue sky at Fountains Abbey for us ...although it began to appear during the afternoon as we were leaving. Needless to say we (that is John on this trip) took loads of photos.

It is an amazing place and richly deserves its World Heritage Status.

Thirteen exiled monks from St Mary's Abbey in York created this gem on a site provided by their protector Thurstan, Archbishop of York. Plenty of timber, stone and water and determination, and the Abbey was built within three years. The Cistercian monks enlisted the labour of lay brothers to do the work (masons, tanners, shoemakers, smiths and shepherds) whilst they devoted their time to God.

From the east end and High Altar

By the middle of the 13 century, it was one of England's richest religious houses. The mining of lead, working iron, quarrying stone and breeding horses increased the wealth. Henry Vlll dealt the the final hammer blow in 1539 and the Abbey buildings stood empty. By 1540 the lead and glass had been taken to Ripon and York and the buildings and some of the land sold.

The cellarium is almost intact

The Abbey was owned by various people. Stephen Proctor built Fountains Hall and finally the Messenger family sold it to William Aislabie in 1768. William Aislabie landscaped the ruins and created it as a "folly" to be viewed from his water gardens.

Reflected in the Studley Royal Canal

The Studley Royal Water Gardens were initially created by William's father John in the 1720s. A disgraced Ripon MP and Chancellor of the Exchequer, he was inspired by French and English landscape gardeners. Together they created one of England's finest 18th century water gardens.

There are two follies: the Temple of Fame and the Octagon Tower - yesterday some might argue they were occupied by two fools!

The amazing "Surprise View" is one of the highlights, literally, as it is seen from high up on the "High Ride".

There are so many other "Kodak (actually Fuji) moments" at this lovely National Trust owned Abbey and gardens, but I cannot put them all here! As usual there are more in our photo albums - clickety click. Further information can be found on the dedicated website of the World Heritage Site - clickety click