Walking to Bolton Castle in Wensleydale and Back

Nothing could be nicer than walking to, or from, Bolton Castle in the heart of Wensleydale. So many footpaths take you there, wonderful circular walks. Set off from the castle itself or choose another route, you won’t be disappointed. A friend and I decided to do a circular walk from Carperby, she lives in Askrigg so it seemed appropriate that we should meet there, walk via Aysgarth Falls to Bolton Castle and back. Park at the village hall, donations please in the box, or street park carefully in the village. Our walk was about seven miles, no great climbs and of course those amazing views you come to expect when walking in Wensleydale.

Although it’s a low lying walk please do wear appropriate clothing, good strong footwear, plan your route beforehand, take the map, GPS, always keep the compass with you and of course plenty to drink and lots of snacks.

Setting off from Carperby I love to walk westwards up the village from the village hall past the Wheatsheaf then when you reach the bus stop you will see a track with finger post directing you south. Take this way and follow the footpath, whichever way you take you will either come out on Low Lane, in which case turn right and follow to the road from Carperby to Aysgarth Falls, or you will come out onto the road itself. Follow the road a little way then take the next stile on the right into the fields again. It’s quite a well used path but keep the wall on your left for a while then walk into open field to bring you to the wood and down to the National Park Car Park. Here you have a choice, walk to your right and visit the Upper falls or turn left towards the Centre and walk out to the road. Here turn right then take the footpath opposite into Freeholders Wood. Take the lower path and wander through at leisure, there are view points of the River Ure and you can visit the Middle and Lower Falls from here.

Come back up to the main path again and continue on to Hollins House SE 02222 89330. Keeping to the footpath take the right hand path at SE 02431 89818 to take you onto Thoresby Lane. Great views eastwards down Wensleydale and follow now until you come to the buildings at Low Thoresby, a little way after here there is a bridge over the stream and a few yards more a footpath off to the left, north. Follow through the fields until you reach the road at the junction to Castle Bolton. You can either walk up the road or turn right onto the road and walk the few yards to the next footpath on your left, then again head north. Follow either way until you get to the castle, you can’t miss it!! Round the back of the castle, call in for wonderful homemade cakes etc if you wish, pass St Oswald’s church, if open have a peek inside. But do take some time to contemplate the views here, they are quite magnificent and you can understand why wherever you seem to go in Wensleydale you can see the castle, Walden and Bishopdale too, even from Leyburn. Continue straight along, west, through a metal gate into the fields but here veer from the track to take the footpath, south west, to the south side of the little wood in front of you. It’s a pretty way along here, follow the footpath, through the buildings at West Bolton, there are usually llamas and other animals to have a look at here, round the north of West Bolton Plantation and on to East End Farm coming out on the road again at the east end of Carperby and your vehicle.

Come and stay in one of our lovely Country Hideaways holiday cottages and enjoy this walk. Call me Nadine or my daughter Joanne on 01969 663559 to book over the telephone and for friendly help and advice or of course please do book online if you prefer.

See you very soon!