Embsay & Bolton Abbey Railway

[AY1975]

As has been widely discussed in these forums, many heritage railways have largely reverted to a pre-Covid regime whereby you could simply turn up and buy a ticket on the day of your visit and use it on any train, although advance booking was sometimes advised for certain special events.

However, I see that the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Railway is still encouraging visitors to pre-book via their website, and it asks you to book for a specific train.

Has anyone been there since they reopened? Do you know whether you have to use your ticket on the next train back or can you return by any train?

Also, it would appear that the only way to get there by public transport on a Saturday is by DalesBus 74, which runs three times per day on summer Saturdays from Ilkley (with the first bus starting from and the last bus continuing to York via Harrogate). Do you know how long it takes to walk from the centre of Bolton Abbey village to Bolton Abbey station?

 

[JonathanH]

Also, it would appear that the only way to get there by public transport on a Saturday is by DalesBus 74, which runs three times per day on summer Saturdays from Ilkley (with the first bus starting from and the last bus continuing to York via Harrogate). Do you know how long it takes to walk from the centre of Bolton Abbey village to Bolton Abbey station?

Embsay is within reasonable walking distance of Skipton station (well, I found it reasonable in under 45 minutes).

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Do you know how long it takes to walk from the centre of Bolton Abbey village to Bolton Abbey station?

That's just under a couple of miles. Maybe half an hour or so. One possible route is along the Dales Way then alongside the A59.

 

[EbbwJunction1]

I'm going there (for the first time) on Tuesday week (7th June).

I have had to book in advance, but that doesn't really worry me to be honest, although I do understand that some folks might not want to do that. I'm travelling from Leeds to Skipton by train and then on the North Yorkshire CC Bus Service 14 to near Embsay Station - the latter part is about seven minutes according to the timetable. My understanding is that, although I've booked my outward journey to Bolton Abbey, I can return to Embsay on any train, which will hopefully give me an opportunity to walk to the Abbey. This is quite a way, though (about 30 minutes by my reckoning, although I'm happy to be corrected), so it'll depend on the circumstances at the time. When I get back to Embsay, my return to Leeds will be the outward journey in reverse.

I hope that this helps.

 

[E759]

I've walked Skipton to Embsay and back a fair few times and it is indeed around 45 minutes. Via the Leeds & Liverpool through the town adds a bit of heritage to the walk. Taxi from Skipton is cheap, well cheap for those of us that live a long way south of Yorkshire. Never used the bus.

I've walked Bolton Abbey (station) to Bolton Priory and that was 35 minutes. Be sure to cross under the A59 using the sheep crawl if you value your life. The railway have a leaflet with map showing the route. Not done the stepping stones though.

If travelling from the Skipton end worth visiting the castle as part of the trip. Good tea room there!

Visited their Gala event last year on the 26th & 28th June (separate day trips from Sussex) which was excellent. First Class upgrade is worth having to ride in the directors saloon.

 

[30907]

As has been widely discussed in these forums, many heritage railways have largely reverted to a pre-Covid regime whereby you could simply turn up and buy a ticket on the day of your visit and use it on any train, although advance booking was sometimes advised for certain special events.

However, I see that the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Railway is still encouraging visitors to pre-book via their website, and it asks you to book for a specific train.

Has anyone been there since they reopened? Do you know whether you have to use your ticket on the next train back or can you return by any train?

Also, it would appear that the only way to get there by public transport on a Saturday is by DalesBus 74, which runs three times per day on summer Saturdays from Ilkley (with the first bus starting from and the last bus continuing to York via Harrogate). Do you know how long it takes to walk from the centre of Bolton Abbey village to Bolton Abbey station?

According to Traveline and Googlemaps, on Saturdays bus 59 Harrogate-Skipton (Bus Station) stops outside Bolton Abbey station.

 

[alexl92]

According to Google Maps, it's a 33 min walk from the station to the Abbey, so knock a few mins off for the centre of the village.

If possible, I would plan to spend some time in the village (not that it's huge but I think there are a couple of small shops and cafes), the Abbey or in Skipton. The ride on the train is only about 20 minutes each way and although the scenery is lovely, there isn't a massive amount to do there - a station shop and cafe at Embsay but that's more or less it.

(To be clear, I've absolutely nothing against the railway and enjoy visiting now and again but couldn't do more than a couple of hours there really)

 

[EbbwJunction1]

I'll let you know what I think after my visit next week.

 

[70F]

I visited with my wife today; by the time we got around to booking online this morning only the 1500 departure was available, but it wasn’t too busy and we had a compartment to ourselves. It was our first visit and we enjoyed the scenery, and found the staff very friendly - shame about the rain!