John's Deer Park Walk

Fountains and Studley Our deer warden John has picked Royal, , HG4 3DY this walk as one of his favourites within the park. As you follow the TRAIL circular route, look out for some of Walking the 500 wild deer that live here. Please take extra care during the GRADE months of October and November Moderate when the annual mating season - deer rut - takes place. Ensure DISTANCE you keep your distance and have 3 miles (5km) dogs on a short lead at all times.

TIME 1 hour Terrain This walk follows bridleways and footpaths through parkland. The terrain is fairly easy walking and OS MAP Explorer 299 Ripon mostly flat. Walking boots are recommended. and Boroughbridge Things to see

Contact 01765 608888 [email protected] Facilities

Studley Royal House Rough Bridge Deer in the parkland

The house began life as the This large gritstone and limestone There are three species of deer manor house of the medieval rubble bridge carried the track living on the estate: red, fallow village of Studley Magna, then from Studley Royal House to and sika. The red are the largest nationaltrust.org.uk/walks underwent many alterations. Wheatbriggs House, the old head and the stags have impressive In the 1750s, William Aislabie gardener's house, on the other pointed antlers. Fallow bucks remodelled the façade to a side of the parkland. We know have flat, palmate antlers and fashionable neoclassical front. that it dates from the mid-18th are a tan colour with white spots. A century later, the Marquis of century but do not know if it was Sika deer are the only non-native Ripon renovated the house again John or William Aislabie who species in the park and are and laid out formal gardens in the ordered its contruction. generally smaller than the red and 1860s. The house burned down fallow deer. They also have white in 1946, sadly. The impressive spots so it can be difficult to tell stable block is all that remains them apart from the fallows from a today. distance. Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, Ripon, HG4 3DY

Start/end

Start: Visitor Centre, grid ref: SE272687 End: Fountains Abbey Visitor Centre grid ref: SE27306870 How to get there

By foot: Public footpaths and bridleways link Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal to the 1. From the Visitor Centre car park, head for the mini roundabout and turn right along the bridle path city of Ripon, 4 miles away. that runs alongside the estate drive towards St Mary's Church. Turn right through a gate, looking out for the obelisk, and walk along the tarmac drive until you reach the church. By bike: Follow the signed on- road cycle loop. On Way of 2. Just before reaching the church turn left onto a mown path in the grass and follow the boundary the Roses coast to coast cycle wall until you reach the grand stable block of Studley Royal House, now a private residence. route. Cycle racks located at the Visitor Centre. 3. Walk past the house and turn right, walking along with the house on your right until you reach a By bus: Links from tarmac drive. Cross over the drive and head down the slope, looking out for a stone bridge. Cross the Dales, Leeds, Harrogate and bridge and follow a line of oak trees, passing the old head gardener's house and cottages that once to Ripon. Connections to belonged to estate workers. Fountains Abbey via 139 Ripon Roweller service. Please call 4. Turn right along the boundary ha ha and wall and continue along until you reach the public right of Traveline for details 0871 200 way marker. Turn right here and follow the path back up through the deer park alongside the estate drive. The track will take you back to pass in front of St Mary's Church. 22 33.

By car: off B6265 Ripon to 5. Pass through the gate and turn left, retracing your steps for the final part of the walk towards the Pateley Bridge. 8 miles west Visitor Centre. of A1(M), 12 miles north of Harrogate A61. Follow the brown tourist signs.

nationaltrust.org.uk/walks