Time to spring back to life at Bolton Abbey
20/03/2026
One of several spots popular with dog walkers, this part of the river opposite the priory is less than a 10 minute walk from the car park in the village.
One of the strongest bonds you’ll ever form is with your dog.
Give them a bit of food, shelter and warmth and you really have a friend for life. One that’s loyal and trusted. One that’ll always stand by you in good times and bad.
They’re an integral part of UK life. As a nation, we probably love them more than ever.
A survey taken by the PDSA, the vet charity for pets in need, found in 2025 that 30% of all adults in the UK now have a dog. Or, put another way, they reckon that amounts to an estimated population of just over 11 million pet dogs, which is staggering!
Is it any wonder then you’re almost guaranteed to see someone out and about going for a walk or jog with their dog?
A sense of calm and fulfilment
The emotional and physical benefits of having a dog are undisputed. They get us moving and lift our mood when we’re feeling a bit rubbish or out of sorts.
And at this time of year, just as everything is coming to life, we truly believe Bolton Abbey can offer you a sense of calm and fulfilment.
You’d benefit from a little time getting away from it all, finding some peace and quiet, and being at one with nature, living in the present moment, while your dog would have their senses heightened with new and exciting smells, sights and sounds.
Who’s for walkies?
So, where do you start? If you’re looking for some inspiration, then why not try Strid Wood where you’ve got 6.5 miles of walks to explore in an area covering both sides of the beautiful and awe-inspiring River Wharfe.
Each trail is different. Some are flat, others steep. Depending on your preference, time and stamina, you have plenty of choice.
Blooming beautiful. Come and see these bluebells for yourself in Strid Wood but you need to be quick before they’re gone!
Whatever you choose, all are intriguing and well maintained with lots of fantastic vantage points looking down on the river which is squeezed at one point through a tight opening in the rocks, forcing an unimaginable volume of water to gush its way downstream. This spot is known as The Strid.
You’ll also find yourself among trees almost 300 years old.
As a site of special scientific interest, Strid Wood is a fascinating place with a unique and delicate ecosystem, renowned for its bluebells at this time of year and home to many species of plants that are very rare or only found locally.
So, we’d kindly ask you out of your respect for the countryside to stay on the trails and always keep your dog on a lead in this area.
The Strid on the River Wharfe. Mysterious, unusual and extremely dangerous. Really worth seeing with your dog but please keep your distance.
Out of the woods
We know you want your dog to enjoy a bit of freedom and express themselves. So, away from any wooded areas, they can be let off their leads.
Favourites spots include Barden Field at the top of the estate, opposite the Cavendish Pavilion, below the Riverside car park and heading downstream from the Priory Bridge. Please just remember though to keep your dog close to you, under control and in sight and, if you’re walking near livestock, always put them back on a short lead. That way, you’re less likely to be perceived as a threat.
The dogs we see here are well behaved. We know they are. They are naturally curious, want to play and love a good sniff. And that’s okay. But they might also get the uncontrollable urge to act out of character, have a little dig by one of our ancient trees, or chase local wildlife such as deer which are even more vulnerable around this time of year protecting their young.
Deer are normally very elusive and shy creatures but there’s every chance you might see one foraging for food or caring for their young. Please protect them by keeping your dog on a lead at all times in wooded areas.
Dogs might even decide it’s a good idea to roll around in something that really stinks. Trust us, it happens! The point is, your dog might just throw a curveball or two you wouldn’t normally expect.
Letting dogs off leads and allowing them to roam away from footpaths may also frighten other wildlife including ground nesting birds, leaving unhatched eggs or brooding chicks exposed to the elements and predators.
They mean no harm but their actions and behaviours can sometimes have damaging consequences for the environment.
Let’s all work together to protect what we have
Now, don’t get us wrong. None of this is meant to spoil the enjoyment of your visit. In fact, we’re only telling you this because we welcome dogs and we want all dog owners to come away from Bolton Abbey, having had a memorable experience.
We’re looking out for you and protecting the environment at the same time. We already owe you a huge debt of gratitude for what you do as our eyes and ears on the estate, alerting us to the kind of things we don’t want to see here, including fly tipping, the lighting of fires, pollution and poaching.
And we know that together we can help preserve the estate for future generations of dog owners. That’s the difference you make, so thank you!
Finally…some im-paw-tant information
To learn more about the places you and your dog can come and see, please visit our Bolton Abbey website and check our interactive map before you visit.
You’ll also receive our visitor information leaflets, which include all our riverside trails, when you arrive.
Well less known perhaps, this part of the estate towards Bolton Bridge offers ample opportunity for dogs to be taken off their leads. Please be mindful of livestock.
And as always, the countryside code is such a handy and useful guide with plenty of tips to help you get the most of the outdoors, and keep both you and your dog safe.
We look forward to seeing you and trusted companion!
Lambs are a symbol of spring, full of life but equally vulnerable. Whether it’s livestock or wildlife, let’s work together to protect our environment.