Thursday.

Had to pick up Julia at 2:30 from Altcrinham Girls’ Grammar on the other side of Manchester so decided to make it a day out. So headed north from Marsden for an hour and a half to Bolton Abbey. One of a number of northern priories / abbeys / monasteries which were shut down during the reformation and are now mostly ruined. It was founded in 1150.

Now part of an estate owned by the Duke of Devonshire as a result of a Cavendish marrying a Clifford back in the the day. At the time of the reformation it was agreed that part of the nave would be maintained as a parish church. As is the way of the Cavendish family they have restored and maintained it rather beautifully.

Sits in a rather gorgeous valley and there are lots of walks the general public can do once you’ve paid your four pound fifty car park fee.