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Bolton Abbey
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Bolton Abbey
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Bolton Abbey

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Bolton Abbey
4.5
#2 of 2 Tours & Activities in Bolton Abbey
Historical & Heritage Tours
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
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Bolton Abbey, North Yorkshire, England
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4.5
2,241 reviews
Excellent
1,382
Very good
503
Average
144
Poor
74
Terrible
138
Linda Veronica B
Lancashire7 contributions
DOUBLE STANDARDS
Nov 2023 • Friends
After cycling to Bolton Abbey my friend and I decided to enjoy a drink.However,after ordering,I was told that my CASH could not be accepted because the company policy was card only.
HOWEVER, I saw on the counter a dish full of CASH,obviously 'tips'.I pointed out to the manageress that CASH WAS ACCEPTABLE but she just repeated that it was not her decision but company policy.
DOUBLE STANDARDS !!!!!
You can't have it both ways~if your policy is card only then REMOVE THE BEGGING BOWL for CASH tips!!!
Written 29 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rick C
Grassington, UK51 contributions
Poorly managed
Nov 2023 • Couples
as a local who visits regularly, it's frustrating to see how a place with such wealthy owners chooses to manage it so badly. If only they could update their websites as often as they do their entrance fees (£15 at time of writing, probably increased...), the pavillion website still observes lockdown controls as if we were in 2021... as for the food on offer in the pavillion, we'll just look at the most recent reviews on here and Google maps - can only assume the owners are squeezing the current managers for every last penny, resulting in a very insipid offer, if there's any food available at all (just tea cakes in last visit, not even soup or c1972 British Rail ham sandwiches) Please Mr Cavendish, some quality control required, you're rich enough
Written 22 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheDoorstepTourist
Oban, UK4 contributions
Rip off Britain at its finest.
Nov 2023 • Friends
I visited Bolton Abbey with friends over the weekend. I have been before and know there are some lovely walks in the area. However, I was truly appalled at the parking charges. £15 to park, no matter what time you turn up. Had I not had other people in the car so that we could sort of justify the cost as £3.75 per person, then I would absolutely have turned round and gone elsewhere. Disgusting greed. It's not as though there is a lot of Abbey to see. You are literally paying to park and walk the countryside. What annoys me more than anything though is how this will totally prevent some people from ever visiting. Also, as a single person this makes for a very expensive day out. It feels as though it is a punishment for not having someone to share your life with. I truly hope this review will put some people off going, because Bolton Abbey Estate and the Duke of Devonshire do not deserve our hard earned money.
Written 20 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Danielle G
3 contributions
Parking costs more than an airport!
Nov 2023 • Couples
The scenery from the car was spectacular – the car parking price is more than an airport! £15!!! Such a shame we didn't get to go, but there's no way I'm paying £15 for a car parking space. Madness!
Written 5 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Linda F
2 contributions
Very overpriced
Oct 2023 • Family
First started going to Bolton Abbey about eight years ago when it was £3 for the winter parking, enjoyed it so much we got a season ticket the next year, think it was £70 for a couple. It gradually increased to £90 before Covid, then when we looked to renew last year it had increased to £150!! At £12.50 to pre book or £15.00 on the day just to Park, This is way over priced. I have no idea why it has increased so much, we can no longer afford to visit. Money grabbing comes to mind. If you want a lovely day out or country walk,carry on up to Grassington moor, much cheaper and fantastic views.
Written 2 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Felixstowe2016
Felixstowe, UK4,993 contributions
Car parks a rip off
Sep 2023 • Couples
If your a good walker and want a free car park then Park at Barden Bridge and walk along the river footpath through the woods where you can keep cooler out of the sun, approx. 3.2 miles.
On-site car park at Bolton Abbey Sept 2023, which costs £12.50 if pre-booked or £15.00 on the day.
Bolton Abbey estate parking at Strid Wood, which offers an hour’s free parking for customers coming to enjoy a visit to the tea rooms.
Written 12 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
M_Fraser_1980
15 contributions
DISSAPOINTING
Oct 2023 • Family
Parking £15, a £5 increase since our previous visit. Way above the rate of inflation.

Dogs running everywhere off leads, despite signs requesting dogs stay on leads. Owners blissfully unaware, or uncaring, who their dogs charge up to, sniff, jump and bark at and poop all over grassed picnic areas. No sign of any staff monitoring this. Very unpleasant for small children who want to pick up everything or play on grass verges. Put your dogs on leads. If my children ran up to you and charged over your picnic blanket, sniffed your crotch and peed up a tree right next to where you were enjoying a peaceful afternoon, I'm not sure you'd be very happy. Keep dogs on leads or take them to one of many parks where dogs are welcome to roam free.

Litter everywhere. I spent a large portion of our walk collecting litter in a bag we had brought our picnic in.

No cash in shop or cafe.

On leaving, we noted a long road next to nearby hotel/spa where there are no parking restrictions (if you get there early enough to find a spot).

Please note. The £15 fee is for parking only. For those travelling on bus or walking in on foot, there is no charge for entry to the Abbey grounds, Welly Walk or river walks. Charging £15 for access to parking (due to the local roads being double yellows lines) is absurd.
Written 9 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
epemberton
North Yorkshire, UK197 contributions
Nice but too many out of control dogs
Oct 2023 • Couples
A nice place for a weekend stroll, we parked at the abbey and walked down to barden bridge and back along the river.

The scenery is nice enough, nothing outstanding but still a pleasant stroll. Unfortunately it is a very popular place even out of school holidays and it seemed like we were the only people adhering to the ‘keep dogs on leads’ signs! Our Labrador isn’t a fan of other dogs and I lost count of the number of ‘don’t worry they’re friendly’ shouts as totally out of control dogs ran over to jump all over him, which totally spoiled our walk as he was so stressed out by the end.
Written 7 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
borntoholidayPreston
Preston, UK68 contributions
Lovely riverside walk
Sep 2023 • Couples
Love this place. Great walk, views and so peaceful. Took it a little slower this time and rested a few times on various benches, which made the walk more pleasant. At the end we rewarded ourselves with a drink and an ice cream from the cafe. Then we drove the car to the main carpark and walked around the abbey. As it was a sunny warm day it was really busy with people having picnics and lots of children playing in the water. Lovely to see. The only negative about this place is the high carpark charge of £15 - which can be reduced slightly if booked in advance online, the only problem with this is you cannot rely on the weather in Great Britain.
Written 2 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rubberman1074
Manchester, UK27 contributions
£15 parking no chance
Oct 2023 • Couples
Drove here to have a look as we seen it on a tv program looks very nice
As we arrived found only two car parks at a cost of £15
I found out money goes to just the car park people and nothing else
So turned around and went to skipton for the day.
Written 1 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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BOLTON ABBEY - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go