Fountains Hall, England

After the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539, Fountains Abbey was sold to a London merchant who stripped the property of its valuable assets. Later, the land was sold in 1597 to Stephen Proctor. He built a manor house called Fountains Hall on the estate, which is still in use today as holiday cottages offered by the National Trust. The main part of the hall is available for viewing, which we did on one of our visits to the Abbey.

Fountain's Hall

Detail of the entrance

The entrance hall features a cross that is a World War II memorial commemorating Charles and Elizabeth Vyner, eldest children of the last owners of the hall. The children died during the war at ages 18 and 19. The inscription reads "When you go home, tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow we gave our today."

Cross flanked by a serviceman and a servicewoman

The first large room is the great hall in the style of medieval entertaining halls, with a walkway above for minstrels to perform without mingling among the guests.

Medieval-style hall

Fireplace in the middle

The hall has some fine artistic decorations as well as fun things for the young or young at heart.

Face of the sun over the fireplace

A bust

Another bust

Doll house version of the hall

Mommy does the easiest dress-up ever

J tries it out

Other, more modernly decorated rooms display exhibits of paints or provide a place to relax.

Waiting room with art and two sources of heat

Beautiful bay window

Cozier study

J gets cosy