Is Henry Cavill filming at Fountains Abbey this week?

Parts of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden are closed this week for filming of a “major TV series”, understood to be The Witcher, which stars Henry Cavill.

Readers of the Stray Ferret have sent in pictures of the National Trust-owned site this week sporting a more medieval look.

There were no actors on site when reader Jo McGregor took the image shown here. However, Cavill plays the series lead called Geralt in the Netflix show so could well be on location.

Netflix confirmed it had resumed production of The Witcher in August. The film crew has travelled around much of northern England for the upcoming second series.

The film set believed to be used for The Witcher. Photo: Jo McGregor

A fan site dedicated to the Witcher believes it is likely that the black tents resemble those of the Nilfgaardian Empire, which is featured in the series.

It also revealed the crew filmed at Plumpton Rocks near Harrogate.

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The Stray Ferret approached the National Trust about the filming but the charity was tight-lipped. A spokesperson said:

“Parts of the abbey ruins and Studley Royal water gardens are being used for a major TV series. We can’t say anything more at this stage.

“But if you follow our social media pages you may see more details when they become available.”

The water garden was completely closed to the public today due to filming. It will be partially open again tomorrow.

Harrogate district attractions still open during half-term

Despite rising covid levels, many popular venues in the Harrogate district are still planning to hold half-term activities. 

From wicked woodland walks to Halloween haunted villages, events are still scheduled to go ahead. 

Many require pre-booked tickets, and have made covid-compliant adjustments. 

Fountains Abbey is going ahead with its annual Fountains by Floodlight event, which will take place every evening between October 19 and 25. However, this year it will replace the usual choir with recorded music.

Jennifer Taylor, senior visitor experience officer at the site, said:

“We have worked hard to adapt the event to keep everybody safe.

“There are a few changes this year. We have limited tickets which must be booked in advance and only the abbey ruins will be illuminated.”

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Other attractions have adopted a spookier theme. 

Newby Hall, near Ripon, is turning its miniature railway into a ghost train and Lightwater Valley, which is also near Ripon, is opening up a Halloween trick or treat street as well as its usual rides. 

In Knaresborough, Mother Shipton’s Cave is offering a spooky forest and haunted village experience, while Birchfield Farm in Summerbridge is inviting families to pick their own pumpkins during October. 

Stump Cross Caverns, in Greenhow Hill, is running potion workshops on October 31 and November 1. 

With covid restrictions liable to change, do check with the venues to see if their plans change.

 

Studley Royal’s slavery links revealed in report

The National Trust has included Ripon’s Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal in a report published today about links between its properties and slavery.

The report reveals how John Aislabie, who owned the Studley Royal estate during the 18th century, received a £20,000 bribe from the South Sea Company to promote its campaigns in the House of Commons.

Aislabie was eventually expelled from the House of Commons for his links with the South Sea Company, which sold African slaves.

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A spokesperson for Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal said:

“Fountains Abbey will be exploring ways to embed the research into what we do and the way we tell the stories of the property.

“We want to give as many people as possible, particularly those whose ancestors may have been enslaved or whose countries may have been colonised, a chance to respond to the report’s findings.

“We are working to share stories of colonialism and slavery at relevant properties but we also want to take time to do this properly and well.”

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The trust said this information will be taken forward to offer visitors a more informed visit.

Another North Yorkshire property, Nunnington Hall, was also named in the report.

Booking essential as Fountains Abbey re-opens tomorrow

Fountains Abbey and the Studley Royal water garden will re-open tomorrow to the public. However, only one car park will be available.

This week the National Trust began its phased re-opening of all of its sites to ensure maximum safety for their visitors.

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal is the next to re-open. It will limit the number of visitors and insists on pre-booking before arriving.

Visitors will have the opportunity the pre-book online and will be given a 30 minute time slot to arrive within. Visitors who arrive without pre-booking will be turned away.

The cafe is closed but the toilets will remain open to the public.

Justin Scully, General Manager of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal said:

“We have introduced a booking system so we’re able to control numbers to maintain public safety. Whilst the Studley car park remains closed the main visitor centre car park will be open and visitors will need to book in advance. Given the unprecedented circumstances, and in order to keep everyone safe, your visit to the National Trust will feel different from normal.”

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal is re-opening tomorrow with pre-booking essential for any visitors.

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Alexa Vernon is the Visitor Experience & Marketing Manager for the site, she said:

“The atmospheric abbey ruins, fanciful follies and elegant canals and ponds are all still the same though we have had to make some changes to keep everybody safe. All of our indoor spaces such as Fountains Hall and the Mill are closed as well as our playground. We’re asking everyone to park at the Visitor Centre though and to call ahead if they require level access.”

RHS Harlow Carr sees spike in online bookings

RHS Harlow Carr has seen a spike in demand for places at its gardens ahead of reopening on Monday.

The RHS saw delays on its online booking system yesterday as a high volume of people flocked to the website to book spaces to its gardens.

The gardens will be open from 10am until 4pm, but people must pre-book a space in order to limit the amount of people attending.

Due to high levels of interest you may experience delays in the online booking process; please bear with us. Please note you will not be allowed entry without confirmation of your booking. pic.twitter.com/VI5xUvpEHG

— RHS Harlow Carr (@RHSHarlowCarr) May 29, 2020

Safety measures will also be in place including floor markings for social distancing, screens at the checkouts, hand sanitiser for visitors and staff and a no cash policy.

A statement on the RHS Gardens website said:

“Our foremost priority remains the health and safety of our members, visitors and staff and we will do everything possible to ensure all government social distancing measures are followed.

“All visitors will be required to pre-book a timed entry slot in advance of their visit and visitor numbers entering the gardens will be limited.”

Meanwhile, National Trust attractions in the Harrogate district will remain closed this weekend.

It means that Brimham Rocks and Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden, Ripon, will not be open for people to travel to as the trust plans a gradual reopening of its attractions in the coming weeks.

Brimham Rocks will remain closed to the public until further notice.

The National Trust is set to reopen some of its smaller gardens and parklands from June 3 and advanced bookings will be required to maintain public safety.

Newby Hall and Gardens, Ripon, will remain closed to visitors. A statement on its website said it was working hard to reopen “as soon as possible”.

Further afield, Bolton Abbey Estate reported that it sold out tickets for the estate yesterday and urged people not to visit.