22/11/2011

Issued by Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal

As December approaches, the World Heritage Site of Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal near Ripon transforms into a festive winter wonderland.

From Saturday 26 November the estate will be decorated for the season with the welcoming twinkle of fairy lights. On Saturdays and Sundays until 18 December, the abbey will be covered in coloured lights and the sounds of Christmas carols will resound through the ruins. They'll also be a programme of live choirs and bands performing festive songs and carols around the National Trust estate.

Children can enjoy making glittery Christmas tree decorations on weekends in December and throughout the school holidays, and listen to Christmas stories on Thursday 22 December at 2pm.

Visit Santa's Grotto on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 December and let Father Christmas know your Christmas wishes.

Everyone is invited to join the annual carol service in the abbey which will take place on Sunday 11 December at 3pm with candles for children. They'll also be hot drinks and mulled wine available in the abbey cellarium.

A frosty day is the perfect opportunity to wrap up and take a walk through the landscaped gardens and parkland. See the wild Red, Fallow and Sika deer munching through their winter feed on 10, 11 and 27 December between 10.45am and 12.30pm.

Celebrate with friends, family or work colleagues and let someone else take care of the cooking and washing up as you indulge in a Christmas lunch; available Mondays to Thursdays from 5 to 22 December. Tuck into a three course lunch for £19.95 or two courses for £15.95.

There are still a few places remaining for the popular 'Traditional Christmas Evenings' on Saturday 10 and 17 December. Tickets are £47.50, call 01765 643197 to find out more and book your place.

The Abbey and Ripon Cathedral join forces on Boxing Day when the annual pilgrimage takes place. The service will start at 9.30am in the Cathedral.

The estate is open daily from 10am except on Fridays in November, December and January and 24/25 December. Last admission to the grounds is 4pm.

For full event listings and further information visit www.fountainsabbey.org.uk  or call 01765 608888.

Ends.

PRESS CONTACT
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: contact Alexa Morton, Visitor Experience & Marketing Manager, Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal, Estate Office, Ripon, North Yorkshire, HG4 3DY. Tel 01765 643199 Fax 01765 601002 Email alexa.morton@nationaltrust.org.uk