Studley Park, Ripon

A spectacular Grade II* listed Palladian house surrounded by the beautiful Studley Royal Deer Park.

Fountains Abbey And Studley Royal - Studley Royal House stands in a magnificent elevated and private position surrounded by Studley Royal Deer Park, with spectacular views across the park and beyond to Ripon Cathedral. The park, which extends to about 800 acres, was laid out by Capability Brown and is now under the protection of the National Trust. It is home to a herd of deer which include Fallow, Red and Manchurian Sika and boasts the beautiful and renowned 18th Century water gardens, fed by the river Skell which meanders past the ruins of Fountains Abbey.

St Mary’s of Fountain was founded in 1132 by monks from St Mary’s, York following a dispute. Constructed on land given to them by Thurstan, Archbishop of York, the Abbey was admitted into the Cistercian Order in 1135. By the 13th Century the Abbey had become one of the richest religious houses in England, however, dissolution came in 1530 when the Abbey and over 500 acres of land was sold by the Crown to Sir Richard Gresham. The estate was later inherited in 1699 by John Aislabie who became Chancellor of the Exchequer in 1718 whilst Tory MP for Ripon. Expelled from parliament in 1720 following the South Sea Bubble incident he returned to Yorkshire and devoted himself to the creation of the garden and deer park.

The House And Garden - Listed Grade Il*, the house incorporates the convenience of modern living with the elegance of a classic period house. Constructed of stone under a slate roof and having distinct pavilion towers in each of the four corners, the house surrounds a central courtyard dominated by the working clock tower. Originally the stables for a larger house, it was built between 1728 and 1732 in the Palladian style.

Internally the house has been beautifully designed and finished and now provides numerous elegant reception rooms and bedroom suites ideal for both family and formal entertaining. Features throughout include high ceilings, many with intricate plaster work, paneling, detailed cornicing, carved door surrounds, working shutters, and elegant sash windows which provide stunning views across the deer park and courtyard.

Approached through the deer park from the East Gate, a long drive flanked by an avenue of limes leads to a private spur which forks right and leads across the park and over the Ha-Ha to the East Front of Studley Royal House. Tall automatic wrought iron gates are positioned in the central arch of the classical seven bay arcade and lead into the central courtyard. A raised central stone fountain has a cobbled turning circle surrounded with intricate and beautifully manicured parterre gardens with clipped privet hedges and topiary to each corner, bordered by numerous lower and fern beds and incorporating climbing roses and passion flowers. The courtyard is floodlit by eight wrought iron lanterns.

Situated to the west of the house and approached through a coach arch from the courtyard are beautifully manicured and very private formal lawned gardens. A gravelled walk runs around the perimeter of the gardens between a hornbeam and separate yew hedge which protect the gardens. Elegant stone steps lead down from the pathway to the formal lawn with a large Italian garden, central Lily-pond and stone fountain. To the four corners are meticulously maintained borders incorporating privet hedges, clipped yew and extensive topiary. Part of the gardens are held on an assignable 99-year lease dated 21 March 1990.

Location - Studley Royal is situated in wonderful rural countryside just 2 ½ miles west of Ripon, between both the Yorkshire Dales and North Yorkshire Moors National Parks. Ripon itself provides extensive facilities for all day to day needs whilst both Harrogate (11.2 miles) and York (28.6 miles) are easily accessible providing excellent shopping, recreational and business facilities.

Communications are convenient with the Al(M) being just 5 miles drive, providing motorway access both south and north, whilst York provides a regular rail service to London (Kings Cross) taking less than two hours. Leeds Bradford International airport (23 miles). There are many recreational and sporting opportunities in the surrounding area including racing at Ripon, Thirsk and York; hunting with many recognised packs including the Bedale and West of Yore; fabulous shooting, walking and riding, as well as golf at numerous surrounding courses including Harrogate and York.

Schooling in the area is excellent for all ages and includes Aysgarth prep school, Queen Mary's, Baldersby, Queen Margaret's, York, Harrogate Ladies College for Girls and Ampleforth College. Ripon Grammer School is well regarded and on the doorstep.

All distances and journey times are approximate.

The National Trust - Founded in 1895 the National Trust is a charity which holds and protects countryside and buildings in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Incorporated by
an Act of Parliament in 1907 its mandate is to promote ‘the permanent preservation for the benefit of the nation of lands and tenements. The act also granted the
trust its unique power to declare a property inalienable meaning it can never be sold or mortgaged. Of the 573,000 acres owned by the National Trust, Fountains
Abbey and Studley Royal is one of the most striking assests.

The owner of Studley Royal House has the right to use the trust’s adjoining and neighboring property in pursuance of the trust’s policy.