Bolton Abbey

Land here was gifted to Augustinian canons by Alice de Rumilly in 1154, and the canons remained until the dissolution in 1539. Prior Moone negotiated to preserve the nave for worship, which is why part of the building still serves the local community as a church rather than standing as a bare shell. Inside, the Pugin windows in the south wall date from 1851. Visitors can wander freely among the ruins and into the church, where there is seating in and around the building. Do not climb the ruin, and do not enter any area where falling masonry or a height drop is a risk. Children need close supervision.

Sixty-two stepping stones cross the Wharfe on an ancient route once used by the priory's lay workers, with a bridge alongside for anyone who would rather stay dry. North of the stones is a large beach area good for picnics, paddling, sandcastles and sitting by the water. Upstream, Strid Wood is one of the largest remnants of sessile oak woodland in the Dales, and the path follows the river to the Strid itself, where the channel narrows and the water accelerates under pressure. The name comes from the Anglo-Saxon Stryth, meaning turmoil. The Strid is very dangerous and has caused deaths: stay well back from the edge. The Wharfe is a spate river whose levels rise and fall quickly, and fast-rising water and strong currents can make the stepping stone crossing unsafe or wash stones away.

Dogs are welcome on the riverside paths and should be on leads on woodland trails. They are not allowed on Barden Moor or Barden Fell open access land because of ground-nesting birds and other wildlife.

• Bolton Abbey village to Cavendish Pavilion: 3 km / 2 miles, about 1 hour, moderate.
• Cavendish Pavilion to Barden Bridge: 7.5 km / 4.7 miles, allow 2.5 hours, easy.
• Bolton Abbey to Hare Head: 11 km / 7 miles, about 4 hours, moderate to hard.

The estate has paid car parks, with proceeds reinvested in maintaining the estate, and each one serves a different part of the visit. The Bolton Abbey village car park is closest to the priory, stepping stones and beach; the Riverside car park sits beside the Wharfe near Cavendish Pavilion and Strid Wood; the Strid Wood car park puts you straight onto the woodland trails; and there is a car park at the north end of the estate by Barden Bridge. You can move between estate car parks on the same visit, subject to space. There are toilets and food on the estate, plus picnic spots by the river. For accessibility, the green route from Cavendish Pavilion to the Strid on the west bank is the pushchair and wheelchair friendly option; each estate car park has designated disabled spaces and adapted lavatories, electric wheelchairs can be pre-booked for twice-daily hire from April through October, and assistance dogs are welcome in the grounds and gift shops. As general advice rather than a measured pattern, a weekday morning is likely to feel quieter around the village, beach and stepping stones than a fine weekend afternoon.

The features are spread along several miles of river, so seeing the priory, stepping stones and the Strid in one visit means real walking or moving the car. Car parking is charged. This is an outdoor visit built around paths, weather and the river, so bring footwear and layers to match, and be ready for the stepping stone crossing to be unusable when the Wharfe is running high.