A Guide to the Best Bolton Abbey Walks

While I was in England I decided it was time to go see some of the country I am from!!  It is quite shocking that I have travelled the world and barely seen my own country.  Very little in the south only London & Cornwall and in the north, York, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle and Scarborough!!

On an overcast bank holiday I went to Bolton Abbey, it’s a great day out in Yorkshire and who knew it was in North Yorkshire and not anywhere near the town Bolton!!!

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Where is Bolton Abbey

It’s just over an hour drive north of Leeds in the Yorkshire Dales and sits along the River Wharfe.

Bolton Abbey Opening Times

Bolton Abbey is open from 9am every day of the year.  In winter last admission is at 4pm, though in Summer last admission to the car parks is at 6pm.

Bolton Abbey Prices

Admission is per car, with up to 8 people.  The cost is £10 per car or £4 for a motorbike.  You can buy the annual season ticket for £90.

We arrived about 11am and paid our £10 to park the car for the day, got our maps and decided on which walk to do.  There are 80 miles of paths to walk and we chose a 7.5 mile walk past the abbey and along the river to Barden Bridge.

We set off from the village and headed down to the Abbey.  What a beautiful place.

Bolton Abbey History

Bolton Abbey Church & Priory is what everyone who visits Bolton Abbey estate expect to see.  Around 1155 a group of Augustinian cannons & their prior started the construction of the priory.  Over the years it has been added to and improved and was lived in by the cannons until 1539 when there was a revolt against the catholic church.

Major restoration took place between 1982 and 1985 with a roof added to the west tower and it is still used as a church to this day.

Bolton Abbey Hall

Bolton Hall was built at the end of the 17th century and was built including the gatehouse to Bolton Priory from the 14th century.  Over the years it has been extended to make a shooting lodge for the Dukes of Devonshire who have owned the estate since 1748.

I had my pic taken outside the ruins of the abbey and then went for a closer look, exploring the ruins and having a look too at Bolton Hall before beginning the hike to Barden Bridge.

Best Walks at Bolton Abbey

Simon’s Seat BOLTON ABBEY

• Distance: 13.25km (8.25 miles)
• Time: 5 hours

This hike is can be started at the riverside car park or the village green car park and goes in a loop.  At Cavendish Pavilion cross the river and follow the signs to start the hike.   You will pass a waterfall, go through woods until you reach the summit of Simon’s Seat.  From here take the path towards the priory and then follow the river to Barden Bridge.

Bolton Abbey Village to Cavendish Pavilion

• Distance: 3km (2 miles)
• Time: 45 mins to 1 hour

If you have parked in the village green car park then you will need to walk to Bolton Abbey past the priory and down towards the river.  Here you can choose to either cross the stepping stones or use the bridge.  Turn left here and you can either choose to follow the riverside path or climb up into the woods to get views of the priory or Barden.

Cross the river at the wooden bridge and take a break at the Cavendish Pavilion, then follow the path back along the riverside until you reach the priory.

Cavendish Pavilion to Barden Bridge

• Distance: 7.5km (4.7 miles)
• Time: 2 hours 30 mins

If you want a bit of a longer hike, then you continue when you reach cavendish pavilion or if you park at the riverside car park next to cavendish pavilion you can start there.

Make sure you cross the river so you are at the opposite side to the pavilion and turn left and enter Strid Wood.  Here there are lots of things for kids to do with tree climbing, tunnels, nets, bridges.  It was a beautiful walk through the woodland with wild garlic growing on the floor of the forest and seeing the river close up or afar from the high points of the path.

Continue walking and you will come across the Strid which is what the woods are named after.  Continue walking and follow the path alongside the river until you get to Barden Bridge and then follow the path back alongside the river.  If you want a shorter walk then you can cross the river at the aqueduct.

Bolton Abbey to Hare Head

• Distance:  11km (7 miles)
• Time: 4 hours

This is a more moderate hike though the last part is easier as it follows the riverside.  It is a loop so no shortcuts on this hike.

If you start in the village car park, then head along the main road and under the railway arches.  Turn left through a gate and follow the path until you reach the woods.  Follow the bridleway across the moors and then down to the river.  Follow this path then along the river.

Do you have particular walks that you enjoy at Bolton Abbey? Let me know so I can add them to my list for next time I am there.

Where to stay near Bolton Abbey

If you are travelling around the UK, then there is definitely a lot of choice of the types of places you can stay from quaint old hotels, modern new build hotels, boutique hotels and Quirky UK Hotels.  Here is my choice for the Best Hotels near Bolton Abbey.

The Devonshire Arms Hotel & Spa – This is a very impressive 4 star country house hotel which also has an adults only spa, gym, indoor pool and an award winning restaurant.  Located just outside the entrance to Bolton Abbey, it’s a short walk to the abbey.  Click here for more details and prices.

The Devonshire Fell Hotel – This beautiful hotel lies on the edge of the estate of Bolton Abbey.  It has amazing views of the river close by and there are lots of walks that can be done from the hotel itself around the river and hills nearby.  The hotel has a cosy bar and great restaurant that you can relax in after a day hiking.  Click here for more information and prices.

The Wheatley Arms – Located just outside Ilkley and a short drive from Bolton Abbey, this former 1920’s coach house has individually styled rooms with some having a 4 poster bed and freestanding baths.  The hotel has a great bar and restaurant that you can spend your evenings.  Click here for more information and prices.

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