Bolton Abbey provides a wonderful family day out - situated by the River Wharfe on the southern edge of the National Park. There are fine riverside and woodland walks, past the Cavendish Pavilion, which offers refreshments, through Strid Wood past the awesome Strid (a narrow rocky chasm through which the whole river flows with great force) to the great medieval hunting lodge of Barden Tower, and perhaps on to Burnsall along the Dales Way. Or you can take a longer walk up the Valley of Desolation to climb up to see the fine views from Simon's Seat. Strid Wood offers a choice of waymarked nature and woodland trails, some suitable for people with disabilities.
The Estate has been carefully managed by the Devonshire family since 1755 and is still the Yorkshire seat of the 12th Duke of Devonshire. Very close by are a number of other great places to visit: Hesketh Farm Park and Embsay to Bolton Abbey Steam Railway.
