Fountains Abbey, located in Ripon, North Yorkshire, United Kingdom, is one of the largest and best-preserved Cistercian monasteries in England. Founded in 1132 by 13 Benedictine monks who desired a more devout and austere lifestyle, the abbey became a significant religious center before its dissolution in 1539 under the orders of King Henry VIII. The picturesque ruins of the abbey are set in the expansive grounds of the Studley Royal Park, which includes a Georgian water garden, medieval deer park, and the elegant Fountains Hall.
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