Always a welcome sight. Daffodils blossoming in the spring sunshine

Time can move so slowly or even drag, clock watching. That is…until you stop looking and wonder where all the time has actually gone.

Taking the dog out for an early morning walk or driving home after your 9-5 job, you might have just noticed without realising that your days all of a sudden feel so much longer again.

And to so many of us, it’s noticing those small things that can give your energy levels a bit of a boost. Honestly, with all the illnesses and viruses we’ve had flying about, we could all do with a tonic, just something to get us moving again, stretching our limbs, and feeling more like ourselves again.

Only this can kind of tonic doesn’t have to come in a glass. You’ll find it all around you coming to Bolton Abbey instead.

This spring, we’ve got some exciting ideas for a day out with your kids, friends, family, parents, or partner. Whether you’re with someone or come alone, see how we can build a memorable experience around your needs.

Easter Trail

Popular as ever and always offering something different every year, our larger than life bunnies return to the beautiful surroundings of Strid Wood. Get the kids to embark on a little adventure to crack our puzzle.

One of our bunnies from a previous Easter Trail. How they will look this year? There’s only one way to find out!

And when that’s done, and perhaps taking a little inspiration from our own bunnies, they can enter our design a bunny competition with the chance to win a season ticket for 12 months! The Easter Trail is included with your parking ticket.

Hesketh Farm

Looking for some real life animals too?

Less than a mile from Bolton Abbey village, Hesketh Farm is the place where you’ll meet all kinds of creatures – soft and furry, big and small – to stroke, feed and hold.

And if the kids are on the look-out for more adventure, then why not see how they can get on with a little game of hide and seek in their straw maze.

A short walk from the village, Bolton Abbey with the beautiful River Wharfe

The Welly Walk

We know what it’s like trying to find things that’ll occupy young minds. So if any of yours love the chance to show off and impress, the Welly Walk will test them with a set of obstacles.

But if that isn’t quite for them, what about something just as enjoyable but also great for their confidence.

The Family Cycle Event

Learning to cycle is part of growing up but we know that’s not always practical where you live. So, that in mind, right next to our car park in the village, we’re mimicking the kinds of potential hazards they might face in the real world, within the confines of a lush green field.

The Strid, one of the natural wonders awaiting you at Bolton Abbey

Watch them cycle along roads that cut through the tall grass. To make it more authentic, they’ll even encounter some road signs to navigate their way round.

Mother’s Day

What about spending some quality time with your mum and treating her to a day out for Mother’s Day?

With 80 miles of footpaths on the Bolton Abbey Estate, a walk wouldn’t be a bad place to start. Whether that’s a gentle amble along the stunning River Wharfe, or something a little more challenging to Simon’s Seat, we’ve got trails for everyone so check out our interactive map before you visit.

Strid Wood, a site of special scientific interest, is certainly one of our most popular and beautiful places on the estate to come and see. It’s also among the easiest to get to for those with mobility issues or young families with pushchairs.

Catch the early shoots of life all around you, on the ground and up in the trees, as the woodland comes alive again from its winter slumber, and just take a moment or two to really embrace, well…the moment.

Here you’ll also find The Strid, a very beautiful but extremely dangerous stretch of the river, which always captivates visitors all year round.

After that, take your mum for a little browse inside the Cavendish Shop and stop off at The Cavendish Pavilion next door to sit outside with a hot drink and a slice of cake.

But if you’re looking to treat your mum to something a bit more substantial, treat her to a Mother’s Day three course lunch or afternoon tea at The Devonshire Arms Hotel.

The Priory Church and Ruins

Another major attraction and only a 5-10 minute walk from the car park in the village is the magnificent Bolton Priory Ruins. Next to them lies the Priory Church which has survived many trials and tribulations dating back to the 12th century and remains to this day a place of worship.

Meanwhile, opposite the church on the other side of the river, the sandy beach is a great spot especially for young families when the river’s low and the sun’s belting down.

Get the chance to see the Curlew with its distinctive beak and evocative call on one of our moorland safaris

Bringing you closer to nature

We know how much you love our closer to nature events, so this year we’re offering more events than ever.

Just to give you a flavour of what we’ve got coming up this spring, join us for our Dawn Chorus guided walk through Strid Wood, capturing and identifying the distinct sounds of our resident and migrant birds.

Or if you’re looking for a complete change of scenery, our Moorland Safaris look at the work our amazing and dedicated gamekeepers are doing to protect the endangered Curlew and the habitats of other endangered species.

Fishing the River Wharfe

If you fish, you’ll know there’s one time of year in the angling calendar that usually stands out and that’s the start of the new trout season.

And while you might be itching to get back into your waders again, you might also be feeling a bit rusty reading the water and choosing the right flies.

We understand that completely. So, if you’re looking for a fresh ideas, or if you’re perhaps a novice learning the ropes, here’s your chance with our Match the Hatch class to learn new tactics and methods.

In fact, if you’re new to the river and want learn to know more about it, we’d highly recommend you watch Tales From The Riverbank with Clare Balding now available on catch up on Channel 5. You can then put all your knowledge to the test with a day or season ticket on one of the best stretches of the River Wharfe.

One of many spots for you to fly fish on our five mile stretch of the River Wharfe

Choose your adventure

So, unless you’re busy clock watching, what are you waiting for? Book your adventure at Bolton Abbey today. After all there’s no time like the present.