Bolton Abbey to Grassington 18th July 2014 (Abbey Amble Day 4)
This section of the walk takes us from Bolton Abbey to Grassington following the river Wharfe. Its a gentle walk of 11 miles passing many iconic features – Bolton Abbey, The Strid, Barden Towers, Swing Bridge at Hebden and Linton Water Falls.
This section is also part of The Dalesway which is a great walk in its own right. Great starter walk if you are looking for a long distance walk for the first time.
Bolton Priory It was founded in 1154 by the Augustinian order, on the banks of the River Wharfe. The nave of the abbey was in use as a parish church from about 1170 onwards, and survived the Dissolution of the Monasteries.
Building work was still going on at the abbey when the Dissolution of the Monasteries resulted in the termination of the priory in January 1540. The east end remains in ruins. A tower, begun in 1520, was left half-standing, and its base was later given a bell-turret and converted into an entrance porch. Most of the remaining church is in the Gothic style of architecture, but more work was done in the Victorian era, including windows by August Pugin. It is still a working priory today, holding services on Sundays and religious holidays.
The Strid (Grid Reference: SE064565) is a series of waterfalls and rapids associated with a deep underwater channel caused by the dramatic narrowing of the River Wharfe and is especially dangerous as both banks are undercut
Walk statistics
Total Distance 16.8km
Total Time 4:50 hrs
Ave Moving speed 4.3km
Ave Speed 3.4km
Total Ascent 517m
Total Descent 434m
