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Historic Buildings

Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal Water Garden
Garden Attractions
Ripon
Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal Water Garden icon

Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal Water Garden

Surrounded by beautiful North Yorkshire countryside, this World Heritage Site has a lot to offer for a thoroughly enjoyable day out. The magnificent ruins of the once prosperous Fountains Abbey, the largest monastic ruins in the country, sit alongside a Georgian water garden that is sure to delight your senses. This breath-taking landscape is also home to a manor house known as Fountains Hall, Studley Royal medieval deer park, a beautiful Victorian church and Cistercian...

Beningbrough - National Trust
Garden Attractions
Boroughbridge
Beningbrough - National Trust icon

Beningbrough - National Trust

The National Trust cared for Beningbrough, on the outskirts of Harrogate, with its eight acres of gardens, historic rooms...

Ripon Cathedral
Attractions
Ripon
Ripon Cathedral icon

Ripon Cathedral

Ripon Cathedral is a medieval marvel boasting a fascinating history all the way back to the 7th century. Serving...

Newby Hall & Gardens
Garden Attractions
Ripon
Newby Hall & Gardens icon

Newby Hall & Gardens

Designed by Sir Christopher Wren in 1690, with some of Britain’s finest Robert Adam interiors, Newby Hall is home...

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Find the echoes of the past around Harrogate and discover how this part of Yorkshire played its part in shaping the modern world we live in today

Historically it was Ripon and Knaresborough that were the key seats of power. The buildings around which this power was focused are still there, standing proud, to be explored today.

There are more than grand cathedrals and abbeys. As the feudal and then monastic power faded, and industrialists began to make their mark on the world, stately homes with immense grounds and grand formal gardens became the prominent buildings that demonstrated power and wealth.

Harewood House in the evening sun content

The Backdrop to the Modern World

Make the history of Yorkshire the backdrop to your holiday. When you visit Harrogate and the surrounding towns and landscape, you can trace this journey from Roman ruins to dark crypts.

See how the medieval fortresses played their part in civil war England and visit stately homes that became stately prisons for the ill-fated Mary Queen of Scots.

Behind every historic wall and turret, in the marks on the walls and the hidden priest holes is the story of religious and political upheaval, and the people caught between the warring sides in great conflicts.

Beningbrough family exhibits

Accessible for Children

The days of stuffy stately homes and look, do not touch are behind us and the historic houses around Harrogate have embraced play in much of what they do.

Interactive displays will both entertain and educate, and outdoor play areas will give them a wide open space where they can burn off energy and run through trees and woodland in the grounds.

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No need to be a History Buff.

You do not need to know the history or the story to enjoy the historic buildings around the Harrogate area; in fact you may get more enjoyment from your visit if you don’t.

Let the story unfold as you discover the heroes and villains, the tragedy and the triumph that is soaked into the walks, the grounds and the atmosphere of the castles, houses, abbeys churches and cathedrals across the heart of Yorkshire.

More  Historic Buildings

Skipton Castle
Things To Do

Skipton Castle

Harewood House
Things To Do

Harewood House

Markenfield Hall
Things To Do

Markenfield Hall

St Wilfrid's Church, Harrogate
Things To Do

St Wilfrid's Church, Harrogate

Aldborough Roman Settlement
Things To Do

Aldborough Roman Settlement

Knaresborough Castle & Museum
Things To Do

Knaresborough Castle & Museum

Ripley Castle
Things To Do

Ripley Castle

Harrogate Heritage Plaque...
Things To Do

Harrogate Heritage Plaque...

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Behind the scenes of  Historic Buildings

Something amazing is happening at Ripon Cathedral this summer
Attractions
8th Jul 2020
Something amazing is happening at Ripon Cathedral this summer icon

Something amazing is happening at Ripon Cathedral this summer

Something amazing is happing at Ripon Cathedral this summer Thousands of beautiful, white, paper angels are being created and...

Caring for the state beds
Attractions
26th Feb 2021
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Caring for the state beds

Caring for the state beds by Alana Bates, Collections Assistant, Beningbrough Hall, Gallery and Gardens An empty house When...

Beningbrough Hall, a unique exhibition space for a unique exhibition
Attractions
17th Mar 2019
Beningbrough Hall, a unique exhibition space for a unique exhibition icon

Beningbrough Hall, a unique exhibition space for a unique exhibition

Sally Lee; Visitor Welcome Assistant - National Trust Beningbrough Hall, Gallery & Gardens. The installation of the 2019 exhibition...

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