Fountain Abbey and Studley Royal



In 1135 13 Benedictine monks began a Cistercian abbey called Fountain Abbey built along the River Skell.  There is 800 years of history here.

The abbey served the community and with adjoining industrial activites grew in wealth. Eventually stone masons were used to complete the beautiful buildings.

We visited with two of our friends from the branch. 

There was a beautiful walk around the grounds down toward the Studley Royal Water Gardens

These benedictine monks lived a very austere life- with chapel, meditation, meals, work, and
sleep very strictly controlled by the Beneditine Rule.



The water garden is a vast park of ponds and wildlife.  We ate our lunch overlooking this statue of Neptune with swans swimming in the lake.