All Bolton Abbey Wants For Christmas Is You
23/10/2025Turn Over A New Leaf And Think More Me At Bolton Abbey
Even in the depths of winter, trees are a symbol of defiance and resilience
Even in the depths of winter, trees are a symbol of defiance and resilience
You’ll have seen them for weeks now, out shopping, driving around, picking up the kids from school. Indoors or outdoors and in all different sizes. They’re everywhere. Each one of them unique.
The Christmas tree is probably the first tell tale sign that the festive season is coming. It’s a tradition going back hundreds of years, first observed as a pagan custom to ward off evil spirits.
These days, when the nights are at their longest, it offers a symbol of renewal…that spring will be here again soon. But if you’ve had a real Christmas tree yourself, you might have discovered that what always begins as a beautiful decoration and a focal point for togetherness can quickly lose some of its healthy glow, show signs of stress and become a little frayed around the edges, unless well cared for.
And we’re no different. Christmas really is a wonderful time of year for so many of us, a time to behold.
But the weight of expectation we put on ourselves can be huge, trying to make it just right. Too often, we forget our own needs or don’t pay enough attention to what really matters.
The kind of giving that comes at a cost
It’s meant to be a time for giving after all, but do we give ourselves enough care or are we just too busy making everyone happy instead?
Putting yourself first is easier said than done especially if you’re a parent with a young family. But the point is, we can subject ourselves to a lot of pressure, expecting to deliver.
Just like the Christmas tree, all lit up, shiny and sparkly, we may appear okay on the surface but deep down we can feel the strain too. And when we feel that way, we can’t be the best version of ourselves for those we love and care about.
A symbol of renewal, this beautiful Christmas tree is still susceptible to stress, just like us
The gift money can’t buy
The greatest gift of all is unarguably your health. You owe that to yourself and that’s where we come in. Wherever you are on your own personal journey through life, whether you love Christmas or not, connecting yourself with nature could be just the non-alcoholic tonic you need.
Finding a little me time either alone or with others is so important to our health and we think we have the perfect antidote to turkey overload, pudding excess and tv box set binges.
With thousands of acres to explore across different landscapes, ranging from woodland to vast areas of open moorland and low-lying pastures, not to mention eighty miles of footpaths, Bolton Abbey can offer the perfect respite.
Experience through your senses what it feels like to connect with nature and have that sense of belonging that you are part of something really special.
While presents are lovely, the greatest gifts like our mental health can’t be found wrapped up under a Christmas tree
The strong silent type
Spending time with our trees is a great example of what we mean. They do so much for our mental well-being, reducing stress and lifting our mood.
They just stand there, towering over us and you won’t hear a peep out of them unless the wind makes them creek and groan.
But they teach us that life isn’t always easy and we are more resourceful than we sometimes think and can emerge stronger from the storms in our own lives, the way trees can endure fierce storms at this time of year and still survive.
While we love all our trees, the ones at Strid Wood are extra, extra special because here you’ll find the largest remnant of Sessile Oaks in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Some of these oaks are at least 200 years old, can grow up to 40 metres tall, and in an exceptional year, can produce up to 90,000 acorns.
Against the backdrop of a blue sky and with the sunlight coming off the trees, Strid Wood is such a magical place on a still winter’s day
Beautiful but dangerous – the two sides of nature
And it’s in this neck of the woods you’ll find something else that also exhibits strength, but in a very different way. The Strid, as it’s known, is a stretch of the River Wharfe that attracts and captivates many visitors every year.
At this point, the river is forced through a tight opening, creating almost a bottle neck effect that pushes extraordinary amounts of water downstream through deep caverns under your feet.
Beautiful but also extremely dangerous, it’s well worth spending a few moments hearing the sound of the water, seeing how the current bumps into and swirls around the jagged and protruding rocks, and just allowing yourself to be in the moment, mindful of your surroundings.
With less foliage on the trees, it’s also a great time to catch see more wildlife. Bolton Abbey is home to around 40 bird species all year round. They include the song thrush, yellow hammer, kingfisher, great spotted woodpecker, pheasant and our own festive favourite the robin.
And who knows, if you spend enough time by the river you might just catch a glimpse of an otter or a heron.
The views in this part of the estate are pretty spectacular and easy to get to. Just make sure when you arrive you get one of our visitor welcome leaflets which have a map showing all the riverside trails on both banks of the river.
The Great Spotted Woodpecker, one of our many residents found at Bolton Abbey all year round
Taking the right path
You don’t have to be a serious walker either. Maybe, you’re looking for a little stroll and that’s fine. We’re sure you’ll find something that’s just right, whether you come on your own, or with your partner, friends and family.
We also have trails suitable for wheelchair and pushchair users.
While none of the riverside trails are too challenging, it’s only fair to tell you that some are steeper than others. So, if you want to stretch your limbs and fancy something that requires a bit more effort, then that’s great! You won’t be disappointed. In fact, along a number of our trails, you’ll find some fantastic viewing spots looking down on the valley bottom.
And don’t forget, dogs are also welcome. We understand they’re very much part of the family. Just remember to always keep them on their leads in all wooded areas and around livestock.
And when you feel as though you want to take the weight off your feet, why not head to the Cavendish Pavilion for a warm drink and a snack.
So, the next time you look at your real Christmas tree or someone else’s during the festive period, make yourself a little promise and get a sense of what it means to be alive outdoors. Book your festive detox with an early bird discount and think more me at Bolton Abbey.
She never goes out at this time of year without her big coat. Make sure you bring yours!