The 30,000 acre Bolton Abbey estate encapsulates all that is typical of the beautiful Yorkshire Dales countryside. Rugged moorland, colourful wildflower meadows, shady woodland and meandering riverside walks. As well as the ruins of a magnificent old Priory.
From 1154 to 1539 Augustinian canons lived and worked here until the dissolution of the monasteries. Fortunately the accompanying church was left intact after Prior Moone negotiated with Oliver Cromwell, to keep it as a place of worship for the local community .
I have stayed on nearby campsites in the village of Appletreewick, but never at Catgill Campsite , which is on the Bolton Abbey Estate itself, just a few minutes walk from Bolton Abbey Village.
Wil, Hugo ( our labrador) and I arrived at the site early on a Friday afternoon . The campsite accepts tents and camper vans and has a relaxed check-in and departure policy . You can roll up or depart at any time during the day before 9pm. Dogs are welcome too at no extra charge. We payed £40 for 2 nights camping in a tent.
After checking in at reception we were told to pitch up anywhere we wished in either of the two fields. We chose the lower field and set up camp by the stream. Catgill campsite is part of a working farm and has been open since 2014. The facilities still feeling fresh and new, include separate ladies and gents shower blocks, a pot washing room with two fridge freezers, kettle, microwave and plug sockets and a small shop that sells the basics. We were soon ready to explore.
Bolton Abbey village is a small picturesque parish adjacent to the Abbey grounds. It boasts a couple of tea rooms, book shop, village shop/post office and a large car park. We entered the grounds through a small archway called the ‘ Hole in the wall.’ 🙂
Instead of turning left towards the Priory ruins , we headed right along the river Wharfe, in search of the Devonshire Arms pub, which is also a rather posh hotel and spa. Sure enough after a pleasant 15 minute walk , we arrived at the pub and enjoyed a couple of drinks in the beer garden. Named for the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire , the hostelry is part of their Chatsworth Estate. After a while it got a bit chilly, so I asked the young bar staff if we could move into the ‘Dog Lounge’ which I had previously read about here. Unfortunately I was told that the entire hotel had been booked out for a two day wedding! But he kindly agreed to let me take a peek at the cosy dog – themed salon, where guests can relax with a drink and their pampered pooch.
We spent most of the weekend at Catgill either walking on the estate or chilling by the tent, but there is plenty more to entertain anyone who visits. A stones throw from the site ( well literally next door!) is Hesketh Farm Park , which is a popular family day out. If you fancy a ride on a steam train, The Embsay & Bolton Abbey Railway runs between both villages. And there are miles of walks including a kids adventure trail Welly Walk.
The estate is popular with dog walkers and Hugo had plenty of off-lead time, racing through the woodland and paddling in the river.
Catgill Campsite is a relaxed family-friendly site with helpful amiable hosts and attractive modern facilities.
Shower blocks have family wash rooms.
Pot wash room with two large communal Fridge freezers, Microwave & Kettle.
Local Information.
Small shop selling the basics.
Fire Pit and BBQ hire.
Morning Coffee Shop serving fresh coffee, hot drinks, juice, croissants and other pastries. We especially liked this idea. 🙂
The only downside is trying to find a level pitch as the site is quite sloping in places. Otherwise this is a cracking little find , in the beautiful Wharfedale countryside. 😊
Hope you enjoyed this campsite review. Our next camping trip is to a family-friendly festival in Gisburn Forest next weekend!
Bolton Abbey is gorgeous, lovely weekend for you.
It was very enjoyable. 😁x
I haven’t been there for years. It looks great! 😀
Defnitely worth a revisit. X
Hopefully when our current third ‘third world’ standard Northern train service arrives back into the 21st century 😀
Definitely. Its rubbish isn’t it!
I’ve been to Bolton Abbey a few times but don’t remember the camp site so wondered if it was new – obviously four years old now but the last time I was there was 2013 so it wouldn’t have been there then. It sounds like a nice place, whereabouts is it in relation to the ‘hole in the wall’? I like the relaxed arrival/departure policy and the ‘pitch where you like’ idea – the Anglesey camp site I go to is a bit like that and I love it. 🙂
Yes its a fairly new campsite. I only heard about it last year. We often go camping in nearby Appletreewick, which has some good sites too. The hole in the wall is in Bolton Abbey Village about ten minutes walk from the site, so not o far. X
Wow, it looks an absolutely gorgeous place and sounds such a lovely weekend away. Love the sound of camping by the water, and your photos of the ruins at the Priory are beautiful.
Thank you. Its a beautiful place and a perfect day out for everyone. Xx
Brilliant pics. I love Bolton Abbey but haven’t been for a few years now. I’m proud to say I made it all the way across the stepping stones. I love the steam railway too 🙂
Well done you! I always freeze half way accross, which is really stupid. I made it over though. 😁
Never camped, David isn’t so fussed lol x
You might like glamping where everything is set up for you. Maybe in a yurt or shepherds hut? Xx
I would, David isn’t so enamored lol
Oh, I’ve so many similar photos, although I’ve never stayed on a campsite in UK, but always go to Bolton Abbey when there. We call your Pot Washroom, a Camp Kitchen over here, which usually has an indoor or outdoor barbecue area nearby too. It sounds good campsite & probably a comparable price to here. We’ve been on several walks around the Abbey & also visited Parceval Hall gardens near Appletreewick, which are gorgeous. I love your dog friendly pubs, etc., which is not as good here in Oz, but is on the rise. Thanks, take care & have a great weekend.
I love all your adventures, Shazza! That Dog Lounge looks fab. I love that Hugo looks to be showing us how fantastic the walk is – he looks very happy!
Hugo does love his camping trips. 🙂 x
It’s been a few years since we’ve been away camping, and this post made me want to dig out the tent because it looks like you had such a lovely time. 😊 Love the photo of you on the stepping stones! X
Hope you do. Bet theres lots of great campsites near you. Xx
There probably are, but my prefers wild camping, but it’s midge season up here so might have to wait til Autumn. ☺ X
Oops, meant to say my hubby.
Thats ok. Know what you mean’t. 🙂 we were lucky, I think. They must be about here somewhere! I remember caravan holidays in Scotland as a kid, always came with plenty of midges.
x
Not been to Bolton Abbey for years (maybe decades.) Looks lovely, though I draw the line at camping! Can’t even remember when we last camped.
It sounds great (aside from the sloping ground!) – showers are a must for me when camping. I love the little coffee and breakfast shop!
Looks fabulous, I think I’ll be putting it on my list 😃
Cool! There are so many great campsites around now. X