Bolton Abbey is a town best known for the ruins of a former 12th century priory overlooking the River Wharfe to the south of the Yorkshire Dales. There are acres of parkland for visitors on the Duke of Devonshire's estate surrounding Bolton priory, a shallow river with stepping stones that children love to cross, places for picnics, scenic walks with waterfalls, gift shops and tea shop.
It's just off the A59 between Harrogate and Skipton in Skipton-on-Swale and a great place for a family day out.
Walkers will want to know that the 'Dales Way' passes through Bolton Abbey on the route through Ilkley, then Wharfedale to Sedbergh through the Yorkshire Dales National Park, over the Pennines and then on to Bowness on Windermere in the Lake District. You may not have time to undertake the full length of this walk but it's always nice to walk part of it and the views are stunning.
Explore other towns and villages in the Yorkshire Dales....