Many prominent landowning families in Nidderdale asserted their social standing by establishing impressive estates and designed landscapes which are open for visitors to enjoy today.

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, now designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the few great eighteenth century ‘green gardens’ to survive substantially in its original form and boasts the most complete remains of a twelfth century Cistercian abbey. Created by John Aislabie and his son William, Studley Royal Garden features mirror-like ponds and surprising views around every corner.

William Aislabie also transformed the woodland at Hackfall into a picturesque landscape by designing waterfalls and unique garden structures. Over the years, Hackfall and Studley Royal have attracted many notable artists, including JMW Turner, who visited to capture the enchanting scenery.

Swinton Park is another eighteenth century picturesque landscape born out of the imagination of the Danby family. Its 200 acre parkland boasts five lakes, woodland, gardens and deer park. They also created the Druid’s Temple; an intriguing folly nestled in woodland on the Swinton estate.

The Yorke family’s home at Bewerley Hall was demolished in 1925, but visitors can still enjoy a fragment of their once extensive pleasure gardens at Fishpond Wood and the impressive Grade II listed Yorke’s Folly which offers far-reaching views across Nidderdale.