Fountains Abbey 1911

In June 1911, the UK population was readying itself for the coronation of King George V and Queen Mary at Westminster Abbey.

Among those taking the opportunity to mark the event with a holiday road trip was an unknown 3D photographer.

Their adventures in Northumberland in the late winter/early spring of that year were captured in an earlier series of blogposts (16th, 23rd and 30th March 2026).

Author’s collection.

Ahead of the coronation on Thursday 22nd June, the stereographer and a group of companions headed for North Yorkshire.

There they checked in to the Ripon Spa Hotel, opened in 1909 and catering for a well-to-do clientele.

Author’s collection.

Pictured on the hotel driveway, a close-up detail taken from the stereocard reveals an older couple alongside a younger woman in white blouse and long skirt together with a distracted child.

Author’s collection.

In 2026, their hotel of choice has recently been relaunched as The Ripon Hotel.

As in 1911, visitor attractions on the doorstep included the ruins of Fountains Abbey, a Cistercian monastery dating back to the 12th century.

Our stereographer was clearly taken with the 3D possibilities offered by the stunning location and created a series of highly effective stereo images.

Author’s collection.

Once inside the ruined building, the camera captured adult members of the party as they made their way through the structure, pausing to take in its spectacular scale.

© Author’s collection.
© Author’s collection.
© Author’s collection.

Next week, the stereographer focuses on other popular locations at Fountains Abbey and the neighbouring Studley Royal Water Gardens.

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