Bolton Abbey Bolton Abbey

Bolton Abbey, in the heart of the beautiful Yorkshire Dales is perfect for a family day out.

There’s so much to do on the Bolton Abbey Estate so we’ve made a handy guide of the best bits as well as all the essential info you’ll need before you visit. Bolton Abbey makes a great day out from both our Clitheroe and Boroughbridge Club Sites.

Things to do at Bolton Abbey

Explore Priory Church and Ruins

Alongside the beautiful River Wharfe sits Priory Church and the remains of Bolton Priory. The ruins you can see today are a peaceful place to explore and relax. There’s a small beach which offers the perfect place for a picnic and to take in the sights of Priory Church.

Tackle the stepping stones

Today, there’s a bridge to access the Priory, but stepping stones were the original river crossing method. The stepping stones are still there today but we recommend wellies or a change of clothes for anyone who attempts the crossing.

Enjoy walks through Strid Wood

This ancient woodland hugs the banks of the River Wharfe, with spectacular flora and fauna to see and plenty of wildlife to look out for. The Strid is in the heart of the woodland, where the river gets much narrower and forces the water through at a higher pressure. The Strid is a wonderful sight to behold but has the obvious danger of fast-flowing water, so it should be respected. Look out for otters, kingfishers, and roe deer while exploring Strid Wood.

Find the aqueduct

Crossing the River Wharfe is a bridge that looks like any other; however, its turreted appearance hides the pipes that transport water from reservoirs in Nidderdale to the cities of West Yorkshire.

Spare some time to see the trees

With such ancient woods, there are plenty of large and in charge trees to discover, but there are a few that you should look for.
Along the path from the stepping stones, into the woodland there are three fallen trees with coins embedded all over them. These are said to be wishing trees and that adding your own coin might grant you health or wealth.

The Laund Oak is a 600-year-old tree that blew over in 2016 but continues to thrive, just on its side. The tree has been used to grow saplings to ensure the future prosperity of Strid Wood.

Events at Bolton Abbey

Keep an eye on upcoming events at Bolton Abbey to see what might be going on during your visit. From seasonal fun to wildlife spotting and plant identification walks, there’s an event for everyone to get involved in.

Car parking at Bolton Abbey

There are four car parks at Bolton Abbey, you’ll need to book and pay for parking, but you can use all four car parks on the day if you’d like to move around the estate.  

Food and drink at Bolton Abbey

There are plenty of places to buy food or drinks on the estate, or you can pack a picnic of your own to enjoy.

Tea rooms at Bolton Abbey

There are currently five tea rooms around Bolton Abbey. Enjoy a quintessential tea and a bite to eat in the estate’s wonderful surroundings.