For the first time in its history, guests are now able to take over The Hall at Bolton Abbey on an exclusive-use basis, the ultimate secluded private escape. Steeped in history, it is situated in 28,000 acres of Yorkshire Dales and has been the holiday home for the Dukes of Devonshire and their families since the 18th century.
Home to 12 individually designed rooms, ten of which have been redecorated by acclaimed designer Rita Konig, all boasting spectacular views of the gardens and the romantic 12th-century Bolton Priory Church and ruins. With a grand dining room, beautiful drawing room and a more informal games room, there is plenty of space to relax and unwind. Offering quintessentially British hospitality at its finest, it is the perfect setting for family gatherings or groups of friends seeking a private takeover.
Lady Burlington stated "I hope that guests will gain as much pleasure from The Hall as our family has over the years. We are extremely fond of this part of Yorkshire and visit often. This is an exceptionally beautiful National Park and Bolton Abbey is the ultimate base to walk out and explore it from. A stroll around the Priory ruins and Strid Wood is a favourite walk of ours and not to be missed.
Our team can create thoughtful itineraries to ensure that guests are able to make the most of their stay and enjoy locally sourced food at its best. Much of what they'll enjoy will be sourced from the river, moors and kitchen garden on the Bolton Abbey Estate. Our butlers, gardeners and chefs are here to take care of guests' every need throughout their stay."
Experience Situated in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, this riverside country home is a stone's throw from the Priory Church and Augustinian Priory which dates back to the 12th century. A playground for country pursuits, the dedicated onsite team can arrange a wide range of activities, tailored to any group. These include guided hikes, cycling trips, fly fishing and more. Additional activities, such as horse riding and clay pigeon shooting are just a short ride away and available on request. Those looking for a slower pace of life can enjoy croquet on the lawn, water colour painting lessons and photography workshops. In addition to the beautiful surrounding gardens, guests will have access to a secret walled garden which has been curated by the Head Gardener. Peter has worked on the estate for the last 30 years and can provide an interesting tour with insights into the kitchen garden produce and cutting flower beds which provide for The Hall. Guests staying in April and May can enjoy Crack of Dawn Drives with the estate team who will take residents onto the moor to track rare, endangered species such as curlew chicks or head out for morning otter and pup spotting before a hearty breakfast back at base. Travelling further afield, guests can visit local towns and gardens, such as the beautiful spa town of Harrogate and RHS Harlow Carr.
Dine Championing seasonal, local, organic produce, The Hall promises locally sourced dining at its best. From a more formal affair in the grand dining room, or a relaxed fireside evening supper to a delicious picnic to be enjoyed alfresco or a spoiling afternoon tea in the drawing room, anything is possible. For a more interactive experience, guests are invited to join the chef for a guided foraging experience before returning to The Hall to cook up a delicious meal using foraged produce.
The Hall at Bolton Abbey is available from £25,900 for three nights for 18 guests, inclusive of room, board and staff.
New app launches to simplify one of marriage’s biggest admin headaches
Changing your name after marriage can mean updating details with countless organisations, from banks and subscriptions to official documents and employers. New app Name Change Navigator aims to make the process easier, guiding newlyweds through each step from one platform. Founded by Rebecca Dainton, Head of Product at Flutter UK & Ireland, the app was created to reduce the stress and mental load associated with name changes. It supports a range of naming journeys, including traditional surname changes, double-barrelling, blended surnames and other choices following marriage, civil partnership, divorce or personal identity changes. The launch comes as younger generations increasingly rethink traditional naming conventions, with technology offering a more streamlined approach to this often-overlooked part of newlywed life.
READ ARTICLE
The YouGov Big Survey on Weddings
The journey that begins with "will you marry me" and ends with "I do" transforms a couple's lives in multiple ways, but it also involves a huge number of decisions, as planning a wedding is no mean feat. Every guest will have an opinion on what a wedding should be like: from what's classy and tacky, to which traditions should be followed and which can be discarded. To help prospective couples get a grip on what these potential guests hope to see in a wedding, YouGov's new Big Survey on Weddings examines all these key debates about what should and shouldn't feature on the big day, including looking at the decisions that brides and grooms would make themselves. The study is part a Big Surveys project: a series of in-depth surveys on British society. It was conducted between 7-9 August 2026, with a sample of 1,784 adults in the UK aged 18 and above.
READ ARTICLE
Brits are swapping the 'big day' for the 'right day' as searches for intimate wedding venues soar
Couples are increasingly choosing quality time over large guest lists, with new search data revealing a growing demand for intimate weddings and stylish registry office ceremonies. According to Google search data analysed by Suit Direct, searches for "small intimate wedding venues near me" have increased by 86% year-on-year, while interest in "micro wedding packages" has risen 23% over the past three months, suggesting more couples are opting for meaningful celebrations that prioritise the experience over extravagance. For many, the legal ceremony is no longer just the paperwork before the "real" wedding. Instead, couples are dressing for the occasion, hiring photographers and celebrating afterwards with an intimate meal or party, proving you don't need a 200-person guest list to make the day feel special.
READ ARTICLE
Expert at Cake Box, shares 2026 wedding trends
Weddings may be rooted in tradition, but 2026 is seeing couples put their own spin on the big day. From reimagined wedding cakes to more personal, less conventional celebrations, today's couples are increasingly choosing what feels meaningful to them rather than simply following the rules. To explore how wedding traditions are evolving, Okay Rahman, Head of Product and in-house cake expert at Cake Box, shares their insight into the biggest wedding trends of 2026 — and how couples are putting a fresh, modern twist on some of the most-loved elements of the day. He said... "We're seeing that wedding cakes are becoming much more personal in 2026. The traditional tiered cake certainly hasn't disappeared, but couples are feeling less tied to the idea that a wedding cake has to look or taste a certain way. These days, it's being treated as another part of the styling of the day, so the design reflects the couple, the venue and the overall feel of the wedding.
