Heritage Open Day: the masons' story
Discover how the stone masons have influenced the Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal estate from the moment the first piece of abbey stone was laid.
Masonry demonstrations.
11am-2pm. Tuesday's demonstration will be held by the abbey ruins. Thursday’s demonstration will be held at Fountains Mill.
Discover the important work the masonry team do here at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal with live demonstrations of ongoing work. You'll have an opportunity to see examples of the techniques and tools used by the team and even have the chance to try out some masonry work yourself. PPE safety equipment will be provided for the interactive elements.
Guided tour: Discover the masons’ marks of Fountains Abbey.
1.30-2.30pm on both Tuesday 16 and Thursday 18 September.
Did you know there have been over 400 distinctive marks found within and around Fountains Abbey cloister? Join an interactive exploration of these marks. Find out how they can be dated. See precisely where they are and, importantly, where they're not. Observe their different forms before asking yourself, who made them and what they mean? The answer may not be what you expect. You may wish to bring a small notebook and pen.
For the guided tour, please meet at Porter's Lodge by 1.25pm; a 10-15 minute walk from the visitor centre, with a steep incline; a 5 minute walk from the level access West Gate entrance.
Your ticket gives you entry into Fountains Abbey from 10am on the day you've booked.
Please note:
- For the guided tour, meet at Porter's Lodge by 1.25pm.
For the demonstration on Tuesday, head to the gazebo by the abbey ruins.
For the demonstration on Thursday, head to Fountains Mill. - Please dress appropriately for the weather and wear sturdy shoes. You may wish to bring a small notebook and pen.
- PPE safety equipment will be provided for the interactive elements.
- Access to the abbey is across a grassy green. When the grass is particularly wet this can be impassable for wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
Access to the mill is on hard standing paths.
We have a portable hearing loop available to hire, free of charge, for the guided tour. Pre-booking for hearing loops is essential, please call 01765 608888. Collect it from your guide on the day. - This event has been curated as part of Heritage Open Days 2025, the country's largest community heritage festival.
- Ticket holders receive free access to Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, including our cafes and shop selling handmade goods and local produce. Free admission is only valid with a Heritage Open Day ticket on either Tuesday 16 or Thursday 18 September. Please give the name you booked your ticket(s) under when you arrive.
Ticket options
Discover how the stone masons have influenced the Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal estate from the moment the first piece of abbey stone was laid.
Masonry demonstrations.
11am-2pm. Tuesday's demonstration will be held by the abbey ruins. Thursday’s demonstration will be held at Fountains Mill.
Discover the important work the masonry team do here at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal with live demonstrations of ongoing work. You'll have an opportunity to see examples of the techniques and tools used by the team and even have the chance to try out some masonry work yourself. PPE safety equipment will be provided for the interactive elements.
Guided tour: Discover the masons’ marks of Fountains Abbey.
1.30-2.30pm on both Tuesday 16 and Thursday 18 September.
Did you know there have been over 400 distinctive marks found within and around Fountains Abbey cloister? Join an interactive exploration of these marks. Find out how they can be dated. See precisely where they are and, importantly, where they're not. Observe their different forms before asking yourself, who made them and what they mean? The answer may not be what you expect. You may wish to bring a small notebook and pen.
For the guided tour, please meet at Porter's Lodge by 1.25pm; a 10-15 minute walk from the visitor centre, with a steep incline; a 5 minute walk from the level access West Gate entrance.
Your ticket gives you entry into Fountains Abbey from 10am on the day you've booked.
Please note:
- For the guided tour, meet at Porter's Lodge by 1.25pm.
For the demonstration on Tuesday, head to the gazebo by the abbey ruins.
For the demonstration on Thursday, head to Fountains Mill. - Please dress appropriately for the weather and wear sturdy shoes. You may wish to bring a small notebook and pen.
- PPE safety equipment will be provided for the interactive elements.
- Access to the abbey is across a grassy green. When the grass is particularly wet this can be impassable for wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
Access to the mill is on hard standing paths.
We have a portable hearing loop available to hire, free of charge, for the guided tour. Pre-booking for hearing loops is essential, please call 01765 608888. Collect it from your guide on the day. - This event has been curated as part of Heritage Open Days 2025, the country's largest community heritage festival.
- Ticket holders receive free access to Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, including our cafes and shop selling handmade goods and local produce. Free admission is only valid with a Heritage Open Day ticket on either Tuesday 16 or Thursday 18 September. Please give the name you booked your ticket(s) under when you arrive.
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