I love Bolton Abbey. Everyone loves Bolton Abbey. It’s one of those special places that has the power to take you back to your childhood.
It doesn’t matter if you’ve never specifically been before, as when you do, it’ll still remind you of those happy, carefree moments as a child. I’m talking about the connections you make with nature and the adventures of playing out. When exploring what’s on your doorstep felt like a huge adventure. When every new experience was a discovery.
For me, as a child, Bolton Abbey was full of adventure and I like returning back to this place to capture that feeling. It’s like pressing a button and I’m 3-ft tall all over again. Poking my fingers in earth and hoping for lost treasure and coins. Yet not being disappointed with the reality of crumbling soil and worms between by fingers.
The stepping stones at Bolton Abbey
When I was little, with legs no bigger or stronger than two twigs, I’d step across the river with great trepidation and excitement. It could have been wider than the River Nile for all I knew. Arms flung out for balance, eyes fixed on the stepping stone in front. Breath held tight with sharp concentration.
If I reached the other side of the banking, unscathed and dry, it was the biggest accomplishment my 5-year old self could ever wish for. Somehow, despite all challenges, I always made it across in one piece.
Now, as an adult, with legs a little longer (but not as long as I would have hoped), the stepping stones seem easy.
This isn’t the case for everyone I’m hasten to add. I watched a young girl make a brave attempt. Same thing. Arms flung out for balance. I was routing for her. It seemed to be going well. She was half way to the other side. Not long to go, just a few more steps. And then, splash! She fell straight into the river.
She was fine. No tears. No big rescue. She just picked herself and eventually reached the other side – albeit a little more wet than before. No biggie.
A family trip to Bolton Abbey
My older brother’s girlfriend, Sarah, came to visit our house in Yorkshire for the first time recently. To mark the occasion I came up from London to join the gathering along with my twin brother.
We were very lucky with the weather so we decided to take Sarah to our beloved Bolton Abbey. It’s beautiful, and one of the places where we like to take guests who come to visit. Another place is the medieval city of York.
We always hope that visitors will love Yorkshire as much as we do, and without fail, they do. Well, if the sun is shining. Thankfully, the sun was on her best behaviour.
Surrounded beautiful nature
Bolton Abbey is an estate located in North Yorkshire and makes up part of the Yorkshire Dales, one of the most picturesque countryside settings that England has to offer.
It is made up of walking trails, old ruins of a monastery, rivers, woodlands and wildlife. One of the quirky things about Bolton Abbey is that you’ll find lots of cows, not only in the fields, but on the small beach and in the river! Essentially, the whole area is a stomping ground for sheep and cows.
When the sun comes out in England, we Brits like to bring out the BBQ and things are no different at Bolton Abbey. If you don’t have a BBQ then I would definitely recommend bringing a picnic. If you haven’t prepared a picnic, worry not, you can always pop into the Cavendish Pavillion Café for a quick fix.
The food is quite pricey inside for what it is but we couldn’t resist buying a generously portioned caramel shortbread and sharing it between ourselves.
Walking trails at Bolton Abbey – the Strid
After our foodie stop, ruin exploration, and stepping stone extravaganza, we walked along one of the designated paths to the Strid.
The Strid is where the broad River Wharfe becomes suddenly narrow and the water rushes with great force. It was formed by the wearing away of softer rock by the circular motion of small stones in hollows, forming a series of potholes which in time linked together to form a deep, water-filled chasm.
It was cool to look into the potholes to see a few tadpoles and other aquatic life including crayfish, but you have to be careful around this area. The force of the water is extremely strong and the stones are slippery. There are several warning signs alerting visitors to this.
Before we reached the Strid, where the current is much weaker, we tried crossing the river by jumping onto different stones whilst trying not to get wet. Not an easy task.
You could say it was like a rougher version of the earlier stepping stones, with a greater chance of falling in and getting wet.
I wanted to take photos and was weary of my camera getting damaged, so I decided to leave all the daring stuff up to Sarah and my two brothers.
My older brother, Lee (Sarah’s boyfriend), tried his best to find the right stones required to get across but failed. Ultimately he ended up walking around with wet feet for the duration of the day after his attempts were unsuccessful.
Ki and Sarah, however, crossed to the other side whilst keeping bone dry. Whoop! At one point they even swooped and swung off tree branches in order to skim over the river. A monkey would have been proud.
Final thoughts & nearby attractions
If you’d like to visit Bolton Abbey, I would also recommend trying to fit in other places within a 10 mile radius. This area of the UK really churns up some wonderful places like Brimham Rocks and Fountain’s Abbey. And just 20-minutes away by car is Harrogate aka ‘the posh town’ as I’ve always called it.
These places really do offer some of Northern England’s most picturesque views. What’s more, they offer a narrow gateway back into the landscape of childhood. North Yorkshire is one of the few places I’m happy to always return back again and again. As I get older, sometimes these places seem further and further away. That’s why Bolton Abbey is special.
Accommodation near Bolton Abbey
The closest accommodation to Bolton Abbey is the Devonshire Arms. I’ve personally not stayed there myself but I’ve had a fabulous meal at the restaurant before. I’ll add that this hotel is expensive so staying here will depend on your budget.
Alternatively, for something more affordable, The Pinfold in Skipton has great reviews. Skipton is a charming town on the outskirts of the Yorkshire Dales so you’ll have a selection of nice cafes and restaurants on your doorstep.
For another option to base yourself, I recommend reading my guide to Harrogate less than 30-minutes away from Bolton Abbey. It’s a historic Spa town with lovely architecture, beautiful gardens and a wide variety of cafes and shops. Best of all, it’s on the doorstep of more of Yorkshire’s finest landscapes, including Brimham Rocks, Knaresborough and Fountain’s Abbey.
8 responses
The River Wharf and the Strid picures are absolutely beautiful, Shing!! I have never been to Bolton Abbey but you nailed a beautiful story about your childhood to present day here. That one with you on the stepping stones is priceless! You have white legs? Didn’t see that coming lol 🙂 You have me pondering favorite childhood places…great post, our friend! 🙂
Haha legs like a milk bottle! The photo of the River Wharf reminds me of Yosemite National Park – so beautiful! Have you decided on your favourite childhood places? Do you get the chance to return to them?
Lovely post! I especially like the pic of the river – looks so peaceful and golden and warm 🙂 I loved Yorkshire, it must have been a great area to grow up in! Thanks so much for showing me around 🙂
The pleasure was all ours, my parents really like having you here! 2 nights isn’t enough to see it all so you’ll have to come again.
As someone else from Yorkshire I have similar childhood memories. Going to Bolton Abbey and Fountain’s Abbey were definite days out when the sun was in the sky.
The sad thing is I don’t think I’ve revisited as an adult and I would really like to. I think I would find a new appreciation for these places and would love to see how much I remember. I have memories in my mind but would like to recreate them.
Get your bottom back to Bolton Abbey now!! Recreating childhood memories is a lovely thought. Sometimes it can be a complete and utter anticlimax though, like the time I went back to Tropical World in Roundhay…
When the sun is shining I really feel like nowhere quite compares to Yorkshire, of course I’m biased, but I think non Yorkshire folk would feel the same if they caught the sun over the picturesque Yorkshire countryside!
Stunning pictures! I went to Bolton Abbey earlier this year actually with a friend who lives nearby in Keighly – he said it was THE place to go. I thought it was incredibly beautiful, so I guess the locals have got it right 🙂
Your mate did good Charlie! Pleased to hear you think it’s beautiful too, I’d be telling you to wash your mouth out with soap if you didn’t 😀