"Devastating flooding" at Fountains Abbey causes site to close
The Trust says it's too soon to tell what the overall impact of the storm will be
The National Trust have announced they've closed its Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal site today (Monday, 21 February 2021) following "devastating flooding" caused by Storm Franklin.
It's after major rivers burst their banks in North Yorkshire.
The Trust made the announcement via Twitter, sharing footage of the water garden.
The Trust said it's reviewing the damage on site and planning to reopen as soon as it's safe.
Speaking to us, General Manager Justin Scully explained some of the damage they've had:
"The most dramatic was 300-year-old beech tree that was completely blown over by the combination of wind and water."
He added the gardening team on site are dealing with lots of debris, silt and mud and will continue to work in the weeks ahead to repair the damage done.
In a statement, the Trust said it's too soon to tell what the overall impact of the storm will be.
Despite this, General Manager Justin Scully told us they're planning on reopening tomorrow.
"It might be a bit messy! I think it will show people the power that these floods have and what damage to heritage these events can do."
The management team at the site have recommended visitors planning a visit later this week, to check opening details on their website.