Inside the ruins of Bolton Abbey Priory

Bolton Abbey: The Ruins Circular

The iconic priory ruins of Bolton Abbey stand as a relic to the dissolution of the monasteries.

But not only are they stunning to explore, they represent the start of a fab circular wander, where you’ll find the Welly Walk (generally running between Easter and October half term) the infamous stepping stones, and a perfect paddle spot.

Bolton Abbey is an absolute gem in the crown of the Yorkshire Dales

Located just at the South Easternmost edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, the Bolton Abbey Estate is packed with kid friendly trails, seasonal events, challenging hikes and waterfalls.

This is an iconic circular walk from the Priory Ruins (yes, Bolton Abbey is in fact … a PRIORY) to the Cavendish Pavilion and back and has so much to offer for the kids.

During the warmer months, you’ll find the Welly Walk obstacle course running through the woods, but even out of season, you’ll find paddling spots, ruins to explore, ice cream and more!

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I set up the Reluctant Explorers and maintain the website and attached social media accounts in my spare time, around mum-life and two jobs. It was designed to provide access for parents to free resources to help get more families outside and exploring in nature. These walks have all been created by myself and the kids and we have walked each one ourselves (and re-walk them regularly to keep the information as up to date as we can).

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The Bolton Abbey welly walk obstacles

One of the elements of the Welly Walk

Walk details for Bolton Abbey Ruins

Distance: 2.5 miles

Terrain: Well maintained paths, but it isn’t called the welly walk for nothing! it can be muddy in places. Approx 70m ascent. 🛑 There are steep drops to the sides of the paths. The paths are wide and very well maintained, but one to flag for those who are fearful of heights.

Parking: Village Car Park, Bolton Abbey. There is a £12.50 charge per car if booked in advance. It’s £15 on the day.

Public Transport Links It is possible to get to Bolton Abbey by bus, although the service is mainly weekends and bank holidays. Check out the Dales Bus Service for more info.

Dog Friendly? This trail is friendly to dogs on leads. Dogs are not permitted on Barden Moor or Barden Fell, or Simon’s Seat.

Location: Bolton Abbey, North Yorkshire

Map: Check out the Trails on the Bolton Abbey Website for more information.

Toilets/ Baby Change: Yes, at the Post Office/ Village Store.

Nearest Cafe/ Amenities: Bolton Abbey Village, Cavendish Pavillion (half way point)

Paddling in front of the Bolton Abbey ruins.

Getting absolutely soaked in the river in front of the ruins.

Directions from the Bolton Abbey ruins:

Check out the route map on the Bolton Abbey website. These instructions add a little more family friendly detail to that.

  1. Beginning at the ruins of Bolton Abbey Priory, cross the bridge (or the stepping stones if you’re feeling brave!) to the other side. There are loads of areas around here for a splash in the river, and regularly there’s an ice cream van parked up too. The stepping stones are a long old stretch and often have some missing (which Bolton Abbey do their best to replace). Make sure you are ok to make it to the other side from the outset, they are busy and turning around is virtually impossible without getting very wet!

  2. Walk straight across the open grass to the perimeter fence, where you’ll gain access to the woodland. In welly walk times, there will be trails across here to lead the way.

  3. Follow the clear trail through the woodland. There are some steep exposed drops to the side and the trail is undulating. Back in the day I have done it with a pushchair but I wouldn’t recommend it as those ups are pretty steep!

  4. Eventually, you will reach a minor road. Turn left down the hill to the ford. For those who don’t want wet feet, you can cross the bridge to the right hand side of the road, for those who couldn’t care less? Be careful, the cobbles can be slippery here!

  5. Turn immediately left down the trail to the wall at the bottom. Turn right here, and head along the footpath along the side of the river, until you reach the wooden bridge at the Cavendish Pavilion. Turn left, and cross the bridge. You can grab ice cream and refreshments at the cafe here.

  6. Turn left, head along the side of the river to the far end of the car park until you reach the gate and field at the end. The path turns diagonally right, and eventually up, and you will have views again back towards the Abbey Ruins.

  7. Climb the steps up, and take a sit and soak up the glorious views. Then head up towards the fountain (and spend ages getting soaked if you’re like us!), then turn left, and head back along the pavement towards the Bolton Abbey ruins.

  8. Go through the gate, and wander back to your start point, after a thorough explore of the spectacular Abbey ruins.

Last walked Summer 2025.

Playing in the abbey ruins at Bolton Abbey

The priory ruins.

⭐ We hope you enjoy our walks, but please exercise common sense as routes can change with the weather conditions and seasons! The routes have been walked by our own two feet, but you know your own limits. Always take a back-up map, don’t rely on GPS alone, wear appropriate clothing for the weather and take adequate snacks and refreshments with you (although as a parent, I know you already know that bit!)

⭐ Leave no trace! Take nothing away and leave nothing behind, take all rubbish home with you.

⭐ If you choose to paddle, be aware of bio security. Always wear clean dry water shoes (if worn) to avoid cross contamination of species between watercourses, this is a particular issue in the Yorkshire Dales, to help protect the white clawed crayfish.

⭐ If you decide to paddle, be aware that wild water can be dangerous, and water levels will vary season to season. Always supervise children around water. Check out the safety information on the Royal Life Saving Society website.

For more safety advice and helpful tips head to our safety page.

The Bolton Abbey ruins from the Welly Walk

What’s Cool for kids (and grown ups) at Bolton Abbey?

☕ The Village green cafe and Cavendish do fabulous takeaway coffee, tea, hot chocolate, whatever takes your fancy!

🏰 During summer, there is a large sandpit outside the Cavendish Pavillion and the Welly Walk trail runs on the first leg of this walk.

💦 It’s official. In our family, you just can’t go to Bolton Abbey without a splash in the Wharfe. Even when it’s cold! So take a towel and a picnic blanket. There have been several water related incidents at Bolton Abbey so ALWAYS supervise children as the current can be fast flowing. We stick to the area upstream of the stepping stones on the beach area. Everywhere else there is signage to warn of swimming and downstream of the bridge there are dangerous currents at the bend.

👻 The Bolton Abbey ruins are reportedly home to several ghosts! Lady Alice de Rumilly, who used to own the land of the Bolton Abbey Estate, is said to haunt it, in the form of a white doe. The last Prior, Prior Moone, is also said to materialise in the ruins of the Abbey, under one of the roof bosses, and Lord John de Clifford is said to have spooked some archaeologists who were working on excavating his tomb back in the 70’s! Spooky eh? Read more about the Ghost Stories of the Yorkshire Dales over on the blog!

🌳 Ok. If you have the Welly Walk, there is no need for any walking games! But in case you don’t have the benefit of the obstacles, why not check out our walking games?

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Hebden Beck in the Yorkshire Dales

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