Fountains Hall

OS grid reference:- SE 271 683

Fountains Hall, a Grade I listed building owned by the National Trust, is situated within the World Heritage Site at Studley Royal Park which include the impressive ruins of Fountains Abbey.

The late Eliizabethan house dates back to between 1598 and 1604 and was built by Stephen Proctor. Stone from Fountains Abbey ruins was used in its construction. The design has been attributed to the influence of the Elizabethan architect Robert Smythson. Following the death of Stephen Proctor in 1619, the hall passed into the ownership of the Messenger family, it was later purchased by William Aislabie of the Studley Royal Estate.

The hall was renovated between 1928 and 1931, and the Duke and Duchess of York (later King George VI and Queen Elizabeth) often stayed there as guests of Lady Doris Vyner, wife of the Marquess of Ripon and sister to the then-current Duke of Richmond and Gordon.

During the Second World War, Fountains Hall and other estate buildings were used to house evacuees. Studley Royal became the wartime home of Queen Ethelburga's School from Harrogate and the school's sanatorium was at Fountains Hall.

Images courtesy of Paul Johnson

Abbeys and Churches of Yorkshire

Historic Buildings of Yorkshire