FACT FILE

Start: Bolton Abbey station

Distance: 3.5 miles

Going: Easy

Map: OS Outdoors Leisure 2, Yorkshire Dales Southern and Western. 

Toilets and refreshments in Bolton Abbey station

A trip on the Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway is an excellent way to start this gentle outing, particularly when you’re with children.

With alternative trips pulled by diesel or steam locomotives, the trains trundle sedately from Embsay past the mountains of quarry spoil before heading out into the open countryside between fields of sheep and arriving 15 minutes later at Bolton Abbey Station.

This is a pleasant little walk, which leaves the station and joins the main footpath toward Bolton Abbey that follows the fenced and gated-off line of the old A59 road leading down to the Devonshire Arms.

It soon turns off and strikes up leftwards through a couple of large fields to eventually arrive at Hesketh House Farm, and take the quiet, winding, flower-bordered lane from there past a row of pretty cottages to descend to Bolton Abbey’s main car park, village hall and toilets.

Crossing the road from here with care, you can join the familiar steps and footpath down to the river.

There’s a choice of ways to cross the river – by the footbridge or, only if the water level is very low, via the stepping stones. Do take care with small children though!

The big problem, on the far bank with its cattle-grazed pasture and riverside beach, is to persuade children to continue as it goes steeply uphill.

But persevere and you’ll have some lovely views from the top of the path as it turns to follow the river downstream.

Don’t let the children (or yourself) climb over the fence for a better view, as signs warn of erosion and the exposed roots of cliff-top trees enforce the message.

The grassy path descends and follows the river before it eventually arrives at the pretty Bolton Bridge.

Your walk takes you past the Devonshire Arms and attractive grounds of the Devonshire Club before joining the old A59 again to stroll up through fields, cross the Grand Prix track that is the new A59, and return to the station back to Embsay.