Conservation retreats at The Hall at Bolton Abbey

Located in 30,000 acres of rugged English countryside, our historic building dates to the 1350s, and is the perfect base to connect with nature and the land. Conservation features highly on the estate with more than 13,500 acres of moorland and 2,000 acres of woodland under protection at Bolton Abbey. Heather moorland is rarer than rainforest, and there’s little anywhere in the world outside of Britain and Ireland.

Guests can now enjoy a number of conservation-focused activities guided by some of the estate’s employees. With a degree in conservation, head gamekeeper Tom Adamson and his team lead crack-of-dawn drives onto the moor to observe the elusive curlew and other endangered birds. Riverkeeper Mark Whitehead can take guests on wildlife excursions along the water’s edge to spot otters and pups, cormorants, ospreys and herons.

Head gardener Peter Smith has worked for the family for 47 years, and proudly leads tours of the Duke’s private walled gardens. This showpiece has maze-like topiary dividing the beds for cut flowers, vegetables and fruit trees, all produced for use of guests in The Hall. In addition, visitors can enjoy dusk bat walks using echolocation technology and fungal forays through the ancient woodlands with expert guides. These unique experiences leave guests with lasting memories of our extraordinary estate.

Find out more about staying at The Hall.