Photo of the week: Looking across Fountains Abbey at duskInteractive oral history exhibition to open at Fountains AbbeyRipon Cathedral annexe would harm views from Studley Royal, argues civic societySunday Picture Quiz Answers: July 27Sunday Picture Quiz Answers: July 20Plans submitted to restore Studley Royal templePlans approved to convert Studley Royal toilets into refreshment kioskSunday Picture Quiz Answers: May 18Discounted entry to Harrogate district attractions with National Lottery this weekend

National Lottery Open Week is set to offer free and discounted places for visitors across the Harrogate district this weekend.

This year’s Open Week event takes place March 9-17 and will include RHS Harlow Carr, Fountains Abbey and Nidderdale Museum.

Venues funded by National Lottery will offer discounted entry for visitors who can use their National Lottery ticket or scratch card as entry. To redeem this offer people must be able to produce proof of purchase.

Offers are available locally at:

RHS Garden Harlow Carr

Visitors can enjoy two tickets for the price of one this weekend at Harrogate’s RHS Garden, near Beckwithshaw.  The deal runs from March 11-17 and visitors can explore the gardens 2,000 plant varieties.

The Royal Horticultural Society received £4 million from the National Lottery Heritage Fund towards a six-year gardening project that includes developing the world’s first centre of horticultural excellence.

The Main Borders at RHS garden Harlow Carr.

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden 

The offer is available March 9-17 for visitors to explore the monastery and estate grounds near Ripon free of charge. The National Lottery has supported Fountains Abbey in vital conservation work.

Fountains Abbey

Fountains Abbey

Nidderdale Museum 

The local and social history museum in Pateley Bridge is offering free entry on March 16. Tickets usually entry costs £5 with free accompanying children.

Nidderdale Museum has benefited from a grant from the National Lottery fund to start work to make the museum sustainable.

Nidderdale Museum

Nidderdale Museum

There are also nearby offers with Beningborough Hall and Goddards in York offering the same deal as Fountains Abbey plus Leeds Library offering free tours.

For the Harrogate district offers booking in advance is not required. Proof of purchase of a National Lottery game can be either a hard copy ticket or digital.

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Walls in Studley Royal lake risk collapse without repair

Work is needed to repair two walls in the lake at Studley Royal near Ripon that are at risk collapsing into the water.

Studley Royal is a water garden and has pools, canals and cascades fed from the River Skell.

The National Trust, which owns the site, has submitted plans to North Yorkshire Council to repair walls that form part of the weir on the north-east side of the lake. They would be fixed with re-used stone to maintain the historic appearance.

The park was laid out in the 18th century by John Aislabie and was extended later by his son to encompass the medieval Fountains Abbey ruin and other elements of the surrounding landscape.

The plans have been backed by Historic England but it said the works must be done in an “appropriately sensitive manner”.

Planning documents submitted by the National Trust said:

“Following construction of the scheme the flanking walls will be visually improved compared to present, although it will take time before the works weather in.

“The repair works will also serve to protect the weir and cascade outlet from future erosion damage.

“The works are considered to have a minor positive impact on the weir and cascade outlet and Studley Royal Park as a whole.”

One of the damaged walls.

In August, the National Trust revealed £3.5 million plans to improve the UNESCO World Heritage Site, including offering revamped visitor facilities.

The plan called Studley Revealed focuses on the water garden area of the estate and the canal gates area. It will remake landscape features that were at the heart of the original 18th century garden design.

The plans would also see the creation of new welcome and visitor facilities. They would include accessible toilets, a larger café and a space to bring the story of the Water Garden alive.

Justin Scully, general manager of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, said:

“The Studley Revealed project is an exciting part of the ongoing conservation of the Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal World Heritage Site. It has long been our ambition to improve the appearance of this area of the site and how visitors experience it.

“Crucially, it means we can create a place for our visitors to learn more about the fascinating history of Studley Royal, its international significance and our role in caring for it, whilst simultaneously having a more enjoyable and accessible experience.”

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