1
With the main entrance of Ripon Cathedral behind, turn left down Bedern Bank. At the roundabout continue straight on, following a sign for River Skell Walk. Cross the bridge over the river then turn immediately right, staying on the riverside walk signposted Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal. After Borage Green children's area turn right and continue to the end of the street past Borage Farm, where the route meets the river.
Ripon Cathedral is open to the public and entrance is free. With the first building dating back to the year 672, it is well worth a visit, with beautiful Gothic architecture, medieval artefacts and 19th Century stained glass.
2
The footpath by the river leads to a shallow flight of steps up to the left, and continues through a gnarly woodland that is part of Hell Wath Nature Reserve. As the path leaves the nature reserve, turn right to join the Sanctuary Way, part of the medieval route to Fountains Abbey. Immediately before the path reaches a road, turn right into Whitcliffe woods, then at the end of the woods turn right along the road towards Whitcliffe Hall. Immediately after the large barn at Whitcliffe Hall take the public footpath on the right.
3
Cross the field alongside a row of trees, then turn left through a gate and follow the track downhill through the woods, continuing straight on at a crossroad in the track, which leads uphill again. As the path leaves the woods, go straight on across the field towards a marker post and continue through Hill House Farm. Bear immediately right after the farm to follow the footpath alongside a stream, then head diagonally left to a gate on the opposite side of the field. Continue through two more gates then follow the footpath alongside the old Abbey wall, which will eventually lead down to a road. Glimpses of the abbey are visible down to the right.
Water Gardens at Studley Royal - The UNESCO World Heritage status recognises a 'designed landscape of exceptional beauty' created in the 18th Century around the ruins of the Cistercian Fountains Abbey. The spectacular ruins of the 12th century abbey and water mill, the Jacobean mansion of Fountains Hall, the Victorian masterpiece St Mary’s Church and one of the most magnificent Georgian water gardens ever created. There is an entry fee to visit the water gardens, however Seven Bridges Valley incorporates the River Skell via a series of arched bridges, of which only five remain.
Optional shortcut - Cross the field alongside a row of trees, then turn left through the gate and follow the track downhill through the woods, turning right at a crossroads in the track to follow a hairpin bend downhill and over the river. Turn left, and follow the footpath up through Seven Bridges Valley until it leads briefly around the edge of the lake at Fountains Abbey, then uphill to join the straight tarmac path through Studley Royal. Turn right and follow it all the way to the east exit of study Royal Park at the village of Studley Roger. Turn left here to rejoin the route at point 6.
4
Turn right at the road and follow it round past Fountains Abbey west entrance and Fountains Cottage. Take the signposted bridleway on the right, which leads to a roundabout and visitor center with toilets. Continue on the bridleway to the right shortly after the roundabout, it leads towards the spire of St Mary's church and the entrance to Studley Royal deer park on the right.
Fountains Abbey - Part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the 12th Century Fountains Abbey is one of the largest and best preserved ruined Cistercian monasteries in England. Managed by the National Trust, visitors must pay to enter the site, but there is plenty to see in the surrounding landscape.
5
Enter Studley Royal deer park through the gate on the right, and follow the tarmac path past St Mary's Church. Turn right at a crossroads and follow the path down towards the lake, then bear left around the lake, crossing a narrow bridge over the River Skell. Follow the route of the river through Seven Bridges Valley over series of small stone bridges. At the bottom of the valley through a heavy metal gate, continue along the obvious track that leaves the river and trends uphill, crossing a series of open fields with a view across to Ripon on the right. Stay on the track as it becomes a road that leads to the east entrance of Fountains Abbey.
Studley Royal deer park was declared Yorkshire’s first World Heritage Site in 1986, and is set beside the ruins of the Cistercian Fountains Abbey. Set within the deer park, St Mary's Church is a Victorian Gothic revival church commissioned in 1870.
6
With the east entrance of Fountains Abbey on your left, continue straight on into the village of Studley Roger. At a house with a red post box in the wall, turn right along a public footpath which leads through well-manicured parkland where sheep graze and pheasants forage beneath mature oak trees. Continue straight on at a crossroads in the track, following a path lined by neat hedgerows until it joins a road. Turn right at the road then, after crossing a bridge over the river, right again along Mallorie Park Drive.
7
The road leads all the way to the Cathedral, passing Ripon Spa Quarter on the way. Turn left up Duck Hill, a steep narrow street, then right past the Royal Oak pub and continue past the bustling cafes and bars of Kirkgate to return to Ripon Cathedral.
