Studley Royal and Fountains Abbey

This garden was made, by Robert Benson, at an early point in the swing from rectilinear to curvilinear gardens. A formal water garden, owing something to the water parterre at Chantilly, has been set into a wooded valley, creating a balance between the rational and empirical views of nature. The canal and Moon Ponds are overlooked by a Temple of Piety. Gothic and Doric temples are to be found in the woods. At the head of the valley one is astonished to find the noble ruins of Fountains Abbey. The statues of Wrestlers, Hercules and other gods are of Roman inspiration. Studley Royal was designed by its owner, John Aislabie under the influence of John James' translation of the Théorie at la pratique du jardinage. He carried out work on the gardens from 1718 until his death in 1742. The canal, Moon Ponds and Temple of Piety were complete by 1730.