Tag: Bolton Abbey Estate

Our 2017 walking holiday programme began in February with a memorable Pendle Hill and Simon's Seat walking weekend, within Lancashire and Yorkshire respectively, with two very enjoyable guided scenic walks and a lovely group of customers, some who'd been on previous Country Adventures walking tours and some joining us for the first time. The base for the weekend walking holiday was Clitheroe, in the heart of the Ribble Valley, Lancashire, where on Friday evening there was an opportunity to meet up for a drink and discuss the walks. Then on Saturday morning, Joe, the Country Adventures guide, took the group over into Yorkshire to the Bolton Abbey estate, owned by the Duke of Devonshire, to start the day's Simon's Seat walk. Simon's Seat is a rocky outcrop, made up of millstone grit, sitting 485m above sea level, with extensive views across the neighbouring countryside and makes for an interesting hill walk amongst impressive rock formations. Starting the walk from the Cavendish Pavilion tea room on the Bolton Abbey Estate, there was no sign of snow that had been forecast for the day as we made our way along the River Wharfe heading for another highlight on today's guided walk, the waterfalls at the 'Valley of Desolation'. The waterfall was in full flow and even without the summer array of flowers & greenery, the Valley of Desolation always looks picturesque and peaceful. We continued up by the waterfall along a track leading into the forest that leads onto the open moorland of the Bolton Abbey Estate. Once out on the moorland there was snow all around...quite impressive really, to have such an immediate change in scenery from the green forest trails we'd just stepped out of, to a wintery landscape with every bit covered by snow. It's moments like this when it's good to have a walk leader with you to guide the way and keep you heading in the right direction, even when the trail is hidden. It really was magical scenery