Ordnance Survey – Great Britain's national mapping agency

Yorkshire abbey makes residents ‘feel proud’

14 December 2007

A National Trust abbey in North Yorkshire has topped a poll of places that make locals feel ‘most proud’ of their area.

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden, which is a World Heritage Site near Ripon and also Britain’s largest monastic ruin, received 18% of regional votes in the Pride of Place poll.

There is always a range of activities happening at the Abbey to keep visitors entertained, including seasonal walking trails, which allow guests to explore The National Trust® site’s grounds, medieval days, where visitors live the life of a monk for a day, and wildlife walks.

Scarborough's South Bay came second in the survey, with Brimham Rocks in Nidderdale following in third place – a close call with each destination claiming around 11% of the vote.

The Pride of Place poll invited visitors of the 10 locally nominated top spots’ websites to vote for their favourite place online.

Nationally, Neasden Temple, in the London Borough of Brent, received the most votes, with 2 344 people going online to register their pride.

Also known as Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Neasden Temple is a Hindu place of worship constructed with white marble and is the largest of its kind outside of India.

Each year it attracts half a million pilgrims and visitors.

The National trust is a registered trademark of The National trust For Places Of Historic Interest Or Natural Beauty.

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