A Bolton Abbey Engagement Shoot: Priory Arches and the River Wharfe
Jo was laughing, wrapped in Josh’s arms on the bank of the River Wharfe, with the water rushing over the rocks behind them and a mallard paddling past. Elsewhere on the walk, the two of them stood framed in a pointed stone arch of the priory ruins, with carved faces looking down from the stonework. It’s why Bolton Abbey is one of our favourite places for engagement photos.
Bolton Abbey: a riverside estate in Wharfedale
Bolton Abbey is a historic estate in Wharfedale that came to the Cavendish family, the Dukes of Devonshire, and is now held in trust by the Chatsworth Settlement Trustees. It has 80 miles of paths and five miles of the River Wharfe, and the estate was first opened to the public by the 6th Duke in the early 1800s.
At its heart are the ruins of Bolton Priory. Lady Alice de Romille of Skipton Castle gave the land to the Augustinian canons in 1154, and it grew into one of the largest monasteries in England before the Dissolution. The stepping stones across the river by the ruins were the canons’ right of way. Upriver is Strid Wood, an ancient woodland, and the Cavendish Pavilion, a riverside café about half an hour’s walk from the priory.
A place close to our hearts
There are a few spots near us that have seen their fair share of engagement shoots, and perhaps none more than Bolton Abbey. It means a lot to us: we often walk our dog by the river here, and a few miles upriver, at Burnsall, is where we got married in 2012.
For me, though, the main draw is the Cavendish Pavilion, without a doubt the most regular cake stop for cyclists before they carry on. (It’s the main reason I cycle!) It had been a while since our last shoot here, so when we met Jo and Josh in April, we pushed ourselves to see it from a different angle.
Seeing Bolton Abbey from a different angle
Jo wore a floral sundress and Josh a white T-shirt, which looked simple and timeless against old stone and moving water. Out in the open, we made the two of them small on a grassy rise, with the moors rolling away behind and a huge sky full of white cloud above.
Down by the river, we got the camera right down at the water’s edge, so the pebbles filled the frame and Jo and Josh walked hand in hand along the bank above. In the priory ruins, the old arches made a natural frame for a hug, and Jo couldn’t stop smiling.
Old friends rather than clients
One of the best things about Bolton Abbey is that it’s a great place to get to know couples. Walking alongside the river, we got to know Jo and Josh a bit better, and as so often happens, we quickly found ourselves seeing them as old friends rather than clients.
That’s the main reason we do these shoots. Don’t get us wrong, we love the chance to try out new ideas and get some awesome shots, but getting to know couples is always the most important thing. We can’t wait for their wedding at the end of the year. And whenever we watch Grand Designs or plan our imaginary dream house, we’ll think about project manager Josh!
Why we love an engagement shoot at Bolton Abbey
If you’re thinking about Bolton Abbey for your own engagement photos, here’s our honest advice:
- So much variety in one walk. Priory ruins, stepping stones, the river and open grassland are all a short stroll apart.
- Cake is never far away. The Cavendish Pavilion is about half an hour up the river from the ruins and is big on cakes, which makes a lovely end to a shoot.
- Bring the dog. We walk ours here all the time, and the Pavilion makes dogs welcome too.
- Check the car park times. The estate’s car parks have set opening hours, so plan an evening shoot around them.
Planning your own engagement shoot in the Dales?
Bolton Abbey is one of our favourite places for pre-wedding photos, but the Dales are full of them. See more of our Yorkshire wedding photography, or get in touch to plan your shoot and check your wedding date.
