The National Trust property near Ripon features alongside castles, country houses and stunning landscapes, including Lindisfarne Castle in Northumberland and Malham Tarn in the Yorkshire Dales.

Google Street View allows people anywhere in the world to log on a take a 360- degree tour of the various properties and attractions.

Chris Fowler, general manager at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, said: "Google Street View will enable even more people to take a peek and get a sense of what Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal has to offer.

'fantastic'

"It's fantastic to think that people from around the world, who might never be able to travel to the UK to see the place, will be able to enjoy a virtual visit."

Ed Parsons, geospatial technologist from Google, said the firm was delighted to open up some of the UK's most famous landmarks to the rest of the world.

To take a virtual tour visit www.maps.google.co.uk/streetview and click on the National Trust logo.