The weather is fabulous and calls for you to do something equally amazing. What could be better than dining al fresco at The Devonshire Arms at Bolton Abbey on their Champagne & Seafood Terrace, back for its third season.
We absolutely love this elegant pop-up marquee dining experience at the Devonshire Arms and it’s the perfect way to while away an afternoon in the sun while admiring the magnificent views across the estate and the Yorkshire Dales.
This is something we look forward to every year and we get positively giddy when the time comes for our annual visit. It just kicks the summer off in style!
If you love champagne and seafood, this is one experience you need to book and make sure you book early because when word gets around and as the weather continues to warm up, you could well be disappointed and not be able to get the date and time you want.
Our own visit was on a Friday, early afternoon – the perfect way to kick off the weekend!
This year, they are showcasing the best of the Grande Marque Houses of Champagne. Each house and winery have their own history and style and it’s up to you to find your favourite with a new Champagne Wine Flight – we do love our Champagne, so this was a superb addition to the menu for us.
For our food, we chose the Seafood Platter for Two to Share which consisted of Crab, brioche, guacamole and grapefruit; Tandoori King Prawns and lime yogurt; Popcorn Mussels with wild garlic mayonnaise; Potted Shrimp with sourdough croutes; Smoked Salmon, capers, lemon creme fraiche and walnut bread and Heritage potato salad.
Delivered with a flourish, we took time to appreciate how beautiful it all looked and of course took photographs to prove it, but we could not wait to taste everything. The one dilemma was where to start!
With a sip of Champagne, that’s where; we each had a glass of Laurent-Perrier La Cuvee, a glass of Laurent-Perrier Cuvee Rose and a glass of Laurent-Perrier Ultra Brut and my goodness each was the perfect pairing for such a wonderful seafood feast.
The freshly caught seafood, including shellfish from our East Yorkshire waters, whilst sipping a glass of their favourite Champagne in this peaceful corner of the Bolton Abbey Estate, creates a unique dining experience to savour. It is simply perfect.
There is of course a wonderful dessert menu to follow. Some with a delicious chocolate theme and another with wild elderberries, whipped into a scrumptious meringue fool, or a platter of local artisan cheeses.
It is easy to understand why The Devonshire Arms is so popular with locals as well as visitors.
But of course, Champagne might not be your tipple of choice and their drinks menu also extends to some delightful summer wines and premium chilled beers.
For us, al fresco lunches linger well into the afternoon and with such beautiful surroundings, you can walk the estate to work up an appetite before you dine and sit wrapped in warm, wool blankets, under outdoor heaters after and watch the sunset.
Children and well-behaved dogs are welcome and advanced booking is advisable.
We will probably see you there!
Book online or call 01756 718 100
Instagram @devarmsboltonabbey
www.devonshirehotels.co.uk/champagne-terrace
