Bolton Priory

£15 to park the car...which I thought was a bit expensive...the priory and grounds were amazing and free if you walk or park elsewhere (however parking restrictions are in place in the area)... thoroughly enjoyed my visit despite the showers

Beautiful priory and the nearby ruins are a perfect place for picnic. A good day out for family. The walking trail is good as well. The stepping stone is a fun way to go over the river.

What a lovely place for a day out , stunning location with the ruins of the Priory and a beautiful functional church attached right next to the river. Loads of different walks and other things to see and some fun stepping stones to get over the river ( also a bridge of you don't fancy the stepping stones) There was a trail through the woods for children with several places to stop and play. The whole place is quite vast with a few car parks which cost £15 to park in but there is no entry fee to the Priory and grounds. Places to eat and get a drink in 2 of the parking areas we saw. You could definitely spend the best park of a day here and we really enjoyed our visit.

Always a lovely experience, I have been visiting since I was a little girl. I try to return as often as I can for a beautiful walk and either a picnic or a lunch at the cafe.

Just a short distance from the carpark the first view of Bolton Abbey is truly breathtaking. Such magnificent vistas of River Wharfe, luscious green meadows and the Priory church and ruins. Watching people bravely crossing the river on the stepping stones we decided to take the bridge 😅 and followed the path to the Cavendish Pavilion which is a great walk especially for younger people as there are many great activities dotted along the path. After a brief stop at the pavilion we returned to the Abbey via the carpark path passing the memorial fountain.

The Priory was established in this beautiful setting in 1154. It prospered until King Henry VIII's dissolution of the monasteries in 1539. All the valuable assets were seized with even the lead off the roof sold. As it also served as the local church, part of the building was saved after negotiations between Prior Moon and Thomas Cromwell, with a wall built to separate it from the rest of the Priory which fell into ruin. The roof for the West Tower was only added 450 years later and the plain glass windows were replaced in the 1850's by stained glass designed by Augustus Pugin.

We are regular visitors to the church among the ruins of Bolton Abbey priory , this stunning church is well worth a visit with the lovely entrance and beautiful stained glass windows and a model of how the abbey used to look , there are plenty of souvenirs to purchase with a honesty box , do not miss this on your visit to the duke of Devonshire Bolton Abbey estate.

Love it round here. Ideal for a walk with the dogs. Parking bit pricey, but could easily spend a day exploring.....so suppose it's worth it. Can get busy in warm weather, but that still doesn't spoil the beauty of the place. Always kids in the river which is nice to see.