Although it was 2010 this stroll felt more like 1910 as I set off from the railway station at Bolton Abbey and went in search of a grand old pub and an ancient abbey.

I followed babbling brooks and strolled alongside the even more impressive and substantial River Wharfe.

*1 From the car park walk away from the station.

Before reaching the old railway bridge look to the left to find a footpath. Follow this towards the A59.

Descend through a steep field and keep a stream to your right before passing beneath an ugly but functional bridge over the A59.

Turn sharp left and ascend towards a substantial fence.

*2 At the fence pass through a gate and turn right. You are now on a bridleway and footpath but until the A59 was built this was a narrow and winding main road.

Approach a substantial gate from which there are magnificent views of fields to the right and meadows overlooked by rolling hills to the left.

Approach the Devonshire Arms Country House Hotel which has been owned by the Dukes of Devonshire since 1773.

This provided food for royalty visiting for the shooting and the royal train often stopped overnight at Bolton Abbey.

At the B6160 stroll for a short distance and turn left along a trackway marked Beamsley Lane.

This leads towards Bolton Bridge, which has spanned the River Wharfe since the Middle Ages.

Free from traffic, this now stands in splendid isolation.

*3 At the bridge look for a footpath sign indicating Bolton Abbey.

Turn left.

Keep the River Wharfe on the right with the cricket field and the Devonshire Arms on the left.

*4 At a stile, cross to reveal Bolton Abbey in the distance.

Continue along an obvious track which gently sweeps first left and then right until it approaches a meander of the River Wharfe, an area very popular with anglers. Continue to bear right and cross a wooden bridge. This does not cross the main river but spans the damp areas of the old monastic fish ponds and there are also drainage channels feeding into the wharfe.

*5 Approach a substantial wooden footbridge over the Wharfe but do not cross it. This and the nearby stepping stones are both popular with visitors seeking views of the river.

Turn left away from the Wharfe and follow an obvious track with the river away to the right.

Ascend the path and pass through a stile and then climb a set of stone steps to Bolton Abbey ruins and church.

The priory church of St Mary and St Cuthbert is a joy and is still in use.

Bolton’s church survived when Henry VIII dissolved the rest of the monastery in 1539. The Augustinians were not normal monks who thrived in isolation but were priests who allowed the local people to worship with them. The church was therefore left intact because it served as the local parish church.

*6 From the church climb the gentle slope up to Bolton Abbey village but care must be taken when crossing the narrow B6160.

*7 Turn left to see the information centre on the right which is well worth a short diversion.

Follow a footpath parallel to the B6160 to approach the Devonshire Arms.

Look for the old road and bridlepath.

Turn right and retrace your steps back to the station car park.