Founded on the banks of the Silver Skell by Cistercian monks in 1132, the dramatic ruins of Fountains Abbey now form the breathtaking focal point of the Georgian water gardens of Studeley Royal, created around the ruins in the 18th century and dotted with neoclassical statuary and follies. Together they're designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. The site also comprises a Cistercian corn mill - the last to stand in the U.K. - a medieval deer park populated by three breeds of wild deer, an exhibition on the abbey's history, and a play area and holiday activities for kids.