Fountains by Floodlight

Fountains by Floodlight returns to Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal from 9 October, running through to 30 October. It's an after-dark experience: as the sun goes down, the stone ruins of the abbey gradually turn pink and then light up, and you follow a guided twilight tour led by volunteers. Live choral music fills the cellarium, with Gregorian chant echoing in Huby's tower.

There's something new for 2026: projected animations cast onto the abbey ruins to bring the story of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal to life as darkness falls. The evening is paired with a Street Food Market in Mill Yard, so you can grab something to eat before or after your walk. Dogs on short leads are welcome, and you're asked to bring a torch or headlamp for the darker stretches.

It runs from 5:00pm to 9:00pm, with admission opening at 5:00pm and the last entry at 8:00pm. Each ticket carries an allocated arrival time slot, so you'll need to book for a specific window rather than just turning up whenever you like. National Trust and English Heritage members get in free; adults are £12, children aged 5 to 17 are £6, and under-fives are free, though you still need to book a spot for them.