Fountains Abbey sits within the haunting ruins of the 12th‑century Cistercian monastery and the Studley Royal water gardens, where centuries of stonework whisper through the air. The site is a UNESCO World Heritage ensemble, renowned for soaring arches, cloistered walkways, and mossy courtyards that exude a quiet, timeless atmosphere. In The Witcher, the abbey’s ruins were repurposed as Aretuza’s courtyard and cloisters, lending mythic gravitas to scenes of magical diplomacy and sorcerous intrigue. Today the setting blends austere medieval grandeur with cinematic hush, as pale limestone frames the ornamental gardens and the meadows beyond, while birds circle above the ancient stones.

Fountains Abbey’s ruins, part of the Studley Royal estate, endure as one of England’s most evocative monastic landscapes, where stone cloisters and archways tell centuries of devotion and landscape design. In The Witcher, the site was repurposed as Aretuza’s courtyard and cloisters, lending mythic weight to the ruins long after the monks departed. The atmosphere is hushed and otherworldly, with moss-covered stone, dappled light, and the soft murmur of water weaving through the grounds. Today visitors wander among winding passages and ruined halls, feeling a palpable connection between history and fantasy.

Fountains Abbey – Orchard sits within the dramatic remains of Fountains Abbey, a 12th-century Cistercian monastery that ranks among England's most expansive and best-preserved ruins. The adjacent Studley Royal Water Garden adds a tapestry of canals, cascades, and carefully framed vistas that invite windy walks and quiet reflection. The site exudes a hushed, timeless atmosphere where stone arches meet water and light, making it feel both sacred and cinematic. It gained contemporary fame when The Witcher used the ruins as Aretuza’s courtyard and cloisters, weaving fantasy lore into a landscape of weathered history.