N Yorkshire's Mysterious Sites -------------Hauntings------------ Spofforth Castle Marston Moor A64 Scarborough Castle Acaster Malbis ---------------Major Sites----------- Whitby Haunted York -----Stone Circles and Henges----- The Devil's Arrows ---------------Legends----------- Richmond Castle Middleham Castle Semer Water Giggleswick Knaresborough Athelhampton Manor ---------------Folklore----------- Fountains Abbey Brimham Rocks Bainbridge West Witton Upsall Trollers Gill Hobhole Bridestones Filey Brig Home Site Map Yorkshire Map England Map Scotland Map Wales Map Fountain's Abbey The abbey was founded in 1132 by the Benedictines, but was destroyed 30 years later, and then reconstructed. The abbey became one of the wealthiest in Britain due to the booming medieval wool trade. Its wealth was also to be its downfall, and it was one of the first abbeys to be crushed under the dissolution of the monasteries in 1540. The Chapel of the nine altars, constructed between 1204 and 1250, is reputed to be the source of a disembodied male choir that has been heard several times. The abbey is associated with some folklore about the outlaw Robin Hood. In one legend Friar Tuck is said to have been a monk at the abbey, who joined their renegade band after challenging Robin to a sword fight. Robin Hoods bow was once also thought to have been kept at the abbey. The abbey also has a particularly fine carving of a green man. Map ref: SE 2767 Directions:The abbey is reached via a minor road from the B6265. Brimham Rocks The rocks are associated with a wealth of folklore, and were perhaps a place of ancient worship. They were once thought to have been carved by the druids, although their strange weathering is entirely natural. One stone is called the wishing stone, it has a hole into which you would place the fingers of your right hand and then make a wish. In other stories the hole is part of a Druids oracle. There was also once a rocking stone here that could only be moved by the hand of an honest man. The group also includes a set of rocks called the lover's rocks. These were traditionally named after two lovers who fled the wrath of the girl's father. He pursued the couple to the rock, where they chose to jump rather than face a life without each other. Miraculously they were lifted through the air and came to a safe landing. The girl's father, who had witnessed the event, realised that their love was preordained and agreed to their partnership. The place of their leap has been known as Lover's Rock ever since. Map ref: SE 2266 Directions: Reached via a minor road off the B6265.