The ruins of Bolton Priory lie on the River Wharfe; historic buildings, woodland trails and a steam railway give Bolton Abbey a range of attractions. The Bolton Abbey Estate has 80 miles of well-maintained trails. When planning a visit, you can choose between a specific trail, longer explorations and historic sites.
Priory, Church and History
Bolton Priory was founded in 1155 by a community of Augustinian canons. Bolton Abbey’s Priory Church and Ruins are the remains of an Augustinian priory beside the river. After the Dissolution of the Monasteries, Bolton Priory was allowed to retain half of the church as a parish church for the village of Bolton. The Priory Church of St Mary & St Cuthbert has been a place of continuous Christian worship since the 12th century.
Numerous tours take place throughout the year at the Priory Church of St Mary & St Cuthbert. The church is open from early morning until 6:30 pm or sunset, whichever is later. Check opening times before your visit. At the Great Barn, you’ll find another chapter in the area’s architectural history: it is one of the best-preserved medieval timber-framed barns in the north of England. The Grade II*-listed building at Bolton Priory is thought to date from the 16th century.
Trails, Woodland and the River Wharfe
The Bolton Abbey walk is a linear route along the River Wharfe through the Bolton Abbey Estate. Another specific option is the green trail from Cavendish Pavilion to the Strid: it follows paved paths and is suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs. Conditions may change. Wherever reasonably possible, the Estate is accessible to wheelchair users and pushchairs; individual paths may vary. When planning, it is worth distinguishing the described paved route from the rest of the trail network.
At the Strid, the River Wharfe suddenly narrows, forcing the water through with great pressure. The Bolton Abbey Estate warns that the Strid is very dangerous and advises visitors to keep well back from the edge. A bridge offers a safe, dry alternative to crossing the Stepping Stones. Strid Wood also shapes the landscape: the woodland on the River Wharfe is one of the largest remaining stands of sessile oak woodland in the Yorkshire Dales. The areas of Barden Moor and Barden Fell that are open to the public are designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Getting There, the Railway and Choosing Accommodation
Bolton Abbey lies just off the A59 between Skipton and Harrogate. Access to the Priory Church of St Mary & St Cuthbert is via the B6160 north of the village of Bolton Abbey, through the eastern opening in the wall, then along the access road to the end. The Bolton Abbey car park is closest to the Priory Church and Ruins and the Stepping Stones.
The Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway is a historic railway with a route of more than four miles between Embsay Station and Bolton Abbey Station. Bolton Abbey station has been restored in the authentic style of the Midland Railway and includes a working signal box. If you plan to include the railway in your visit, check operating days and timetables in advance. Cyclists also have a dedicated point of reference: cycling routes near Bolton Abbey include sections of the Tour de Yorkshire route; conditions and access may change.
Discover more destinations: Cloughton, Willerby, Well, Mickleby, Burnsall, Gilling East, Cowling, Northallerton.
For the main travel overview: North Yorkshire.
