Bolton Abbey
The Bolton Abbey Estate, owned by the Devonshire family since 1753, includes a stunningly beautiful stretch of Wharfedale in the Yorkshire Dales.
At the heart of Bolton Abbey Estate lies Bolton Priory, a 12th century Augustinian priory, established in 1154 and dissolved in the 1530’s.
Because it was the only church in the area, the Priory was allowed to keep half of the church intact as the parish church for Bolton village.
The Nave therefore survived in good condition.
Opposite the priory are much-photographed stepping stones giving access to the opposite bank of the river.
Walking
Bolton Abbey Estate consists of 30,000 acres of wonderful countryside, woodland and landscaped grassland. With more than 80 miles of footpaths on either side of the river, it is a walkers paradise.
A noticeably short 2-mile stroll will take you towards Cavendish Pavilion.
If you only have an hour to spare, then this walk will give you a great sense of the history of the Priory.
Or keep walking along the river through Strid Wood towards Barden Bridge.
This 4,7-mile circular trail from Cavendish Pavilion leads through the woodland, high above the River Wharfe, then down to the Strid where it continues north as far as Barden Tower.
If you have a whole day to spend in this neck of the woods, then head for Simon’s Seat.
This 8-mile walk will take you from Cavendish Pavilion through the Valley of Desolation, up and onto Barden Fell.
The walk continues up on to the moors to Simon’s Seat, where on a clear day, the views are spectacular.
The Dales Way
At Bolton Abbey you can also join the Dales Way.
The Dales Way runs for 80 miles from Ilkley in West Yorkshire to Bowness-on-Windermere in Cumbria, following mostly riverside paths and passing through the heart of the Yorkshire Dales and the gentle foothills of the Lake District to the shore of England’s grandest lake.
You can follow a 9-mile linear section from Bolton Abbey towards Grassington.
Halfway you will pass through the quaint village of Burnsall, dominated by the elegant 1884-built bridge across the Wharfe.
Cool Places to Explore: Kettlewell | Ribblesdale.
