25/07/2026
3 must-visit places when in the Ripon area - and all for free (if you know how)!
Studley Deer Park
Park for free in the Visitor Centre car park at Fountains Abbey and follow the footpath back down the side of the entrance road until you reach the pedestrian gate to the Deer Park, near St Mary’s Church. Walk as little or as much as you like in the Deer Park, or do the Seven Bridges Valley Walk (approx 6km), and head back the way you came to the car park.
It’s almost impossible not to see deer while here!
There’s a cafe at the head of the lake for refreshments, and a larger restaurant at Fountain’s Abbey Visitor’s Centre.
Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal, National Trust
Fountains Abbey parkrun
Parkrun is a genius way to see the wonderful Fountain’s Abbey for free. Be through the entrance gate before 9am on a Saturday morning - the caveat being that you need to be out by 10am. But you can visit the cafe/restaurant and shop after 10. You don’t have to run - or even register with Parkrun. You can walk the whole route, part of it, or none of it. You can just admire the Abbey - the most beautiful location for a Parkrun in the UK, in our humble opinion.
Fountain’s Abbey is free for National Trust members at any time.
Brimham Rocks
OK, so you do need to pay to park here if you don’t have National Trust membership (£7 for 4 hours), but there’s no entrance fee and it’s a fascinating way to spend a few hours. Take a picnic, or buy lunch, snacks, drinks or ice creams at the kiosk.
