THE extensive boundaries of one of the largest estates in the Yorkshire Dales have been confirmed legally under a voluntary registration scheme.

The 30,000-acre Bolton Abbey estate, which includes the picturesque ruins of 11th century Bolton Priory, has been formally lodged with Land Registry, the Government department responsible for registering land ownership in England and Wales.

The estate, owned by the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, is one of the largest swathes of land to be registered in North Yorkshire.

As well as the famous Priory ruins, the estate features more than 85 miles of footpaths, 14,000 acres of heather moorland, 1,500 acres of woodland, numerous residential and commercial properties and 14,000 acres of agricultural land supporting more than 50 farms.

It attracts around half a million visitors a year.

The registration process was led by the estate's head agent, Ben Heyes, who referred to historical documents dating back to the 13th century in an attempt to clarify details of the estate's complex land holdings.

"Although we have extensive records of land and buildings on the estate, I decided initially that the best way to check the details was to go out and walk the bounds of the estate," he said.

"I put a rucksack on my back and set off - it took two days!

"We decided to pursue voluntary registration because it gives us reassurance that the estate is secure and we know exactly what we legally own and if need be can justify that to others quickly and simply.

"There's over 800 years of land ownership history on this estate and over the years the nature and extent of the estate has changed considerably.

"Registration provided an opportunity to pull all that information together into a legal framework.

"I have to admit it was quite a task, but it is very satisfying to complete the process, throughout which the Land Registry staff have not only been exceedingly helpful but very attentive and efficient," he said.

Now the Land Registry is urging other landowners and, in particular, farmers and owners of large estates, to identify and register what they own.

Brenda Wastling, register development manager for North Yorkshire, said: "Bolton Abbey estate is one of the largest areas of land to be registered in North Yorkshire but over 40 per cent of the land in North Yorkshire is still unregistered.

"We understand that farmers and landowners with large land holdings lead busy lives but we'd like them to pause and think to the future.

"We have dedicated teams of staff who will work with landowners with the aim of making the registration process as simple and straightforward as possible.

"In the case of Bolton Abbey estate, we were able to clarify land boundaries and provide assistance in working through some of the old documentation," she said.

Once registered, owners have the title to their land guaranteed by the state and buying and selling can be easier.

Land Registry staff were also due to attend the National Beef Association Beef Expo event, at Skipton Auction Mart, yesterday (Thursday).

For more information about the voluntary registration scheme visit the website www.landregistry.gov.uk, call 0800 432 0432 or you can email registerland@landregistry.gsi.gov.uk