Christmas at Bolton Abbey is set to sparkle brighter than ever this year, with the return of the Christmas Market at The Devonshire Arms Hotel, alongside activity across the estate including the ever-popular 12 Days of Christmas Trail and festive wreath-making workshops.
Following its successful launch last year, the enhanced Bolton Abbey Christmas Market will once again transform The Devonshire Arms into a hub of festive cheer. Visitors can browse stalls from talented local artisans and designers, enjoy warm drinks and seasonal food from the outdoor bar, and soak up the cosy country-house atmosphere.
The Christmas Market will be open from 11am–4pm, with free entry and car parking, across the weekends of the 29th and 30th November, and the 6th and 7th and 13th and 14th December.
Not only an atmospheric and fun way to tick off the festive shopping list, the Christmas Market is also a fantastic way to support local businesses. A carefully curated collection of stallholders will showcase locally crafted, homemade and artisan products – from hand-poured aromatic candles, festive wreaths and bakes to toiletries and culinary gifts from Yorkshire Dales-based producers and retailers, including Lucy’s Craft Room, From the Source, Hart Body & Soul, and Bliss Therapies.
Visitors can browse the stalls and enjoy live entertainment throughout the weekends, with the team serving delicious hot snacks including pulled pork baps with stuffing and apple sauce, and homemade pies, while the outdoor bar will offer mulled wine, spiced cider, winter cocktails and hot chocolate for plenty of hand-warming festive cheer.
For those seeking fresh air and festive fun, the ever-popular ’12 Days of Christmas Trail’ will return to Strid Wood between Saturday 29th November and Sunday 4th January. Families can enjoy a winter wander along the riverside path starting from the Cavendish Pavilion, following clues inspired by the much-loved Christmas carol to solve a seasonal puzzle on their trail sheet.
Bolton Abbey will also host a wreath-making workshop in the Christmas Village on Wednesday 3rd December, offering festive crafters the chance to create their own sustainable masterpiece. Led by expert tutors, participants will craft beautiful wreaths made from estate-gathered foliage, pheasant feather, pinecones, poppy seed heads and dried oranges – all bound to a biodegradable straw and moss base.
Moira Smith, Visitor Experience & Marketing Manager at Bolton Abbey, said:
Christmas at Bolton Abbey is always magical, but this year we’re especially proud to be shining a light on the incredible local talent that makes Yorkshire so special. Our Christmas Market brings together makers, bakers and creators from across the Dales, offering visitors the chance to shop locally while soaking up the festive atmosphere.
From enjoying a hot drink at The Devonshire Arms to meeting Father Christmas or exploring our trails, it’s all about celebrating the season, supporting our community and creating memories together.
For more information on the festive activities at Bolton Abbey, please visit the website here: https://boltonabbey.com/whats-on/father-christmas-2025/
