High summer at Bolton Abbey

After a busy few weeks, it was lovely to escape for an afternoon with a friend to Bolton Abbey.  A weekend in high summer (pleasant and dry, though not sunny) meant it was very busy with families enjoying the green space. It's a large enough estate to absorb the crowds, and families with small children tend to congregate near the Cavendish Pavilion, where there is a play area, ducks, refreshments and ice creams. Walking through the woodland is still relatively peaceful. 

With all the rain we've had, the foliage is lush, the wildflowers prolific and the grass very bright green. (I think this time last year everything was brown and parched.) I was surprised that the river water level seemed very low but it is probably very responsive to the most recent few days. 

The pirate ship was attracting many would-be buccaneers. It sits in a sand pit, so that's another attraction.