New barbecue field opened at Bolton Abbey

There have been numerous requests from visitors wishing to bring disposable barbecues with them since the estate re-opened in May, yet their use is forbidden to prevent fire damage in ecologically sensitive areas such as Strid Wood and Barden Moor.

Visitors must pre-book slots at the Barden Field barbecue zone - which has special stone flags, bins, and parking spaces - and barbecues are not permitted anywhere else on the site.

There have been significant issues around irresponsible barbecue use in the Dales this summer, with fire crews called out to incidents where disposable grills had not been correctly extinguished or disposed of and had caught alight.

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The footpath running through Barden Field will be roped off, to enable walkers to enjoy the riverside without having to walk between groups.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service station manager Tony Peel said: “We fully support the Bolton Abbey estate in establishing a designated safe area for people to enjoy a barbecue in a controlled, managed area with all the facilities needed to dispose of all the waste including hot ashes safely.

"This will address a lot of the challenges we as a fire service face when having to deal with irresponsible individuals who disregard barbecue safety advice. A lot of time and valuable resources are wasted cleaning up the mess and destruction these people cause. With the designated safe area I hope people will now barbeque more safely, looking after themselves and the local environment.”

Disposable barbecues can also scorch the grass and pose a threat to wildlife. Problem areas include Burnsall, Cod Beck Reservoir, Thomason Foss, and the Ilkley pebble beaches.

Bolton Abbey estate director Benedict Heyes said: “Since re-opening the estate we have experienced continued demand for a barbecue area to be made available to visitors. The decision to open Barden Field means we can create an area where families can enjoy a barbecue in a safe, controlled environment and we hope this will also ease the pressure of roadside parking in Wharfedale."

Slots can be booked from Thursday to Sunday between 12-8pm, with last admission at 6pm. All rubbish must be disposed of.

Entry to the barbecue area costs £15 per car and can be booked online at www.boltonabbey.com.