The Fountains Abbey is part of the National Trust.  It consists of a wonderful ruin and Studley Royal Water Garden.  There are many walks and picnic areas open to the public.  It is a short drive from the city of York. 

It is said the be the largest and best preserved Cistercian monastery in England.  It was founded in 1132  and operated for over 400 years.  The 500 acres of land were tilled by the monks while the timber of the forest was used for the first buildings and later sold to locals. Some of the land was later leased to farmers. It became one of the wealthiest and perhaps one of the most powerful abbeys in England which also made it a target for dissolution under Henry VIII in 1539.