21/10/2010

Autumn is officially here, and it's the perfect time to get out and explore the rich, colourful countryside on your doorstep.

Come and enjoy a walk through acres of red, orange, gold and green woodland which surrounds the Georgian designed landscape at Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal Water Garden.

Join one of the wildlife walks on offer to discover the delights of autumnal nature on the estate. Choose from the Fountains in Autumn walk on Sunday 24 October, or A Walk Through Time on Saturday 13 November to uncover more about the landscape of the estate.

Not forgetting that it will be half term in October, there is plenty lined up to entertain all the family. Pick up a free squirrels and acorns trail and follow the clues around the Abbey and Water Garden, or create squirrel masks and figures in drop in craft workshops in Swanley Grange.

From Wednesday 27 - Friday 29 October children can also dress up in monks' robes and find out what it was like to live as a monk at Fountains on an It's a Monk's Life guided tour.

Come along to listen to some spine-chilling Halloween story-telling on Sunday 31 October from 2pm - prizes go to those who come in the best costumes.

It will also be the final chance for visitors to see Fountains Abbey and Hall floodlit this year on Saturday 23 October from dusk until 10pm, and there will be an opportunity for those less able to drive through the estate on Sunday 31 October between 6pm and 8pm to see the illuminations.

For further information visit www.fountainsabbey.org.uk or call 01765 608888.

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