• A beautifully preserved castle
• Excellent views of Wensleydale
• Visit the village of Redmire

Bolton Castle is most famous for being one of the castles where Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned after losing out at the Battle of Langside. I always felt Mary was given a little bit of a rum deal in her life and although many historians disagree she appeared to have been a political pawn of the Scottish nobles to start with and then imprisoned for many years by a dithering Queen Elizabeth before eventually being dispatched by her English counterpart. Having said that Bolton Castle does have fabulous views of Upper and Lower Wensleydale (which I am sure comforted Mary!) and I was determined to explore the grounds a little further afield. The weather was fabulous and the hay meadows spectacular as I wondered in from the nearby village of Redmire. The castle is very well preserved and if Alnwick Castle was not so good would have been used in many a film set. The gardes and the maze are kept well and, although I have not yet been inside, I am assured it is well worth the entrance fee. Walking towards the River Ure is very pleasant but I was constantly stopping to search out different angles and perspectives of the Castle. It is clear to see how difficult it would be to attack the castle. This proved to be the case during the Civil War when the Earl Of Scrope defended the castle stoutly until famine and shear weight of numbers over came him in 1645. Now though English Heritage have done a fine job ensuring Bolton Castle is a must see element of the Yorkshire Dales experience.

Recommend: The route I finally selected was short, only 2.5 miles long as some of the ‘marked’ paths do not exist anymore. In particular do not get in a discussion with the farmer at Low Thoresby whilst looking for the track to Redmire Force.

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© Crown copyright 2010 Ordnance Survey. Image produced from the Ordnance Survey Get-a-map service. Image reproduced with kind permission of Ordnance Survey and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland.

OS Map:	O/S 1.25,000. OL30 Yorkshire Dales Northern & Eastern Area
Start Point:	045912. Parking is available in Redmire but be considerate to the locals.
Terrain:	Easy walking throughout on lanes and across fields.
Eating & Drinking:	Part of the reason for starting in Redmire is the very pleasant pub the Bolton Arms. There is a tea shop in the castle.