On the river Ure lies the gateway town of Leyburn, “A Town for all Seasons.” Leyburn has spectacular views of the surrounding Yorkshire Dales countryside. Lower Wensleydale’s main town, with its three distinct cobbled squares, independent shops and cafés, traditional pubs and a weekly Friday market makes Leyburn an ideal base for a Yorkshire Dales holiday, a day trip to Yorkshire, walking, sightseeing, or just watching the world go by.
Leyburn Parking – Short and Long Stay – Rear of The Golden Lion Hotel, Market Place, Leyburn, DL8 5AS. Cash pay and display or RingGo app options
Leyburn featured in the very popular TV drama series Heartbeat and Milners, the stylish independent clothing and home interiors store in Market Place, was the focus of a BBC4 documentary.
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Things to do in Leyburn
Leyburn North Yorkshire is a proud market town in Wensleydale and is surrounded by superb Yorkshire Dales scenery. Leyburn can also easily be used as a base to explore a number of other pretty nearby villages including Middleham, Aysgarth, West Burton and Castle Bolton. Each late August, crowd gathering restrictions permitting, the Wensleydale Agriculture Show is held at the edge of the town the A6108 road from Leyburn towards Bellerby and Richmond.
Leyburn Market Day
Leyburn Market takes place every Friday. The weekly market is a traditional local produce market, so you can support the local economy with your purchases. Market stalls sell everything from handmade chocolates to fine cheeses, meat, preserves and gluten-free cakes. The Leyburn also hosts a farmers’ market on the fourth Saturday of every month. 2 miles from Leyburn to the south on the A1608, and home to a magnificent medieval castle, pretty Middleham in Wensleydale, restrictions permitting, hosts its weekly market every Sunday.
Leyburn Shawl Walk
The Leyburn Shawl, a limestone escarpment, is close to Leyburn town centre. The gentle 1.75 miles long Shawl takes you through woodland, and from the Shawl, there are fine views through the woods across Wensleydale, including Penhill, Wensleydale valley and the Coverdale fells. There are many viewing points and benches along the Shawl.
Wensleydale is the broadest of the Yorkshire Dales and unusually takes its name from its village rather than a river. Wensley was the major settlement in the area until the Plague struck in 1563. Some surviving villagers fled to nearby Leyburn and this market town has remained the major settlement since. However, Wensley village recovered a century later when Charles Paulet built Bolton Hall in 1678.
Start in Commercial Square outside Campbell’s independent supermarket and wine merchant on your right, walk to the bottom of Shawl Terrace and turn left through a gate onto Leyburn Shawl. Go forward through another gate and there is an information board on your left. In addition to simply walking along the Shawl to the escarpment’s end, there is a 6-mile circular walk taking in Preston-under Scar, Bolton Hall and Wensley, or a 4-mile loop. For the loop walk, take the Shawl path until you reach two old gate posts where the path divides – straight on to the end of the Shawl, or down a grassy patch towards a stile, which is the path to take for the Shawl Loop Walk.
The Shawl is reputed to have received its unusual name from the time when Mary Queen of Scots was kept as a prisoner at nearby Bolton Castle. She is said to have escaped on a horse but dropped her shawl on this bank – but the Queen was soon recaptured.
Chocolate Maker
About half a mile from Leyburn Market Place on the A684 Harnby Road is the Yorkshire Dales chocolate maker Inspired Chocolate and Café. Satnav postcode: Chocolate House, Leyburn Business Park. DL8 5QA.
Inspired Chocolate has a dedicated chocolate room and sweet kitchen enabling visitors to view the whole process. You can even choose your own chocolates to make up a box and have it sent as a gift with a printed message card.
The chocolate factory Leyburn also has a café with an outside deck where you can enjoy your treats safely alfresco. Well behaved dogs are also welcome on the decking. They hand bake all their delicious cakes and scones, including the special cheesecakes where even the bowl is edible. Offering a range of savoury light bites including paninis, toasties, hummus and a children’s meal deal, Inspired Chocolate is careful not to do anything that could spoil the gorgeous chocolate smell!
Wensleydale Railway
Leyburn Station’s location is on the A684 Harnby Road: Leyburn Station Satnav postcode: DL8 5ET Harmby Road, Leyburn. All ages will enjoy a trip on the scenic Wensleydale Railway which is an authentic Heritage Railway running from Leeming Bar near the A1 in the Vale of Mowbray to Redmire near Bolton Castle in the spectacular Yorkshire Dales.
During the summer months, the Wensleydale Railway is served by at least three heritage trains per day; at other times of the year, the service is mainly at weekends and bank holidays.
Leyburn Station’s Arthur’s Tea Room will offer you a warm welcome – on cold days when they have a real fire roaring! Darlington and Stockton Times says: “Leyburn is considered one of the cosiest tea rooms on any heritage railway.” This splendid café has a wide selection of beautiful homemade cakes.
Bolton Castle is approximately 1 mile from Redmire Station, so if you are travelling to Redmire on Wensleydale Heritage Railway, take advantage of the 20% discount entry fee to Bolton Castle for their passengers.
Bolton Castle
Bolton Castle one of the country’s best-preserved medieval castles, is a 12-minute drive from Leyburn Market Place. Bolton Castle Satnav Postcode DL8 4ET.
Completed in 1399 Bolton Castle was built by Sir Richard Le Scrope to rival the finest and most luxurious homes in the land. Bolton Castle was built over a twenty-year period with work being split into separate phases to make it affordable. The design proved influential with it being repeated at nearby Sheriff Hutton Castle in 1382.
The castle’s scars lay testament to over 600 years of fascinating history including involvement in the Pilgrimage of Grace, Mary Queen of Scot’s imprisonment and a Civil War siege During the Civil War when the then owner, John Scrope, held Bolton Castle for the King.
Bolton Castle was a grand family home as well as a defensive fortress and despite being damaged by Cromwell’s’ men during the Civil War siege, is still preserved in outstanding condition with many fascinating rooms and features to discover including the Old Kitchens, Dungeon, Solar, Nursery, Armory, Great Chamber and Mary Queen of Scots’ bedroom.
Unlike many other castles, about one-third of rooms are fully intact and the rest of the Castle is accessible to allow visitors a great insight into Bolton Castle’s turbulent history. The castle is still in the private ownership of Lord Bolton, the direct descendant of the castle’s original owner Sir Richard le Scrope.
Visitors are given a taste of what past life was really like during the Castle’s heyday by providing the sights, sounds, smells and experiences of life in the past with splendid falconry displays and archery demonstrations. Many visitors comment on the incredible atmosphere of Bolton Castle with many of the rooms giving the feeling that their historic inhabitants had just walked out!
More things to do at Bolton Castle include:
• Seeing wild boars and rare breed sheep
• Hands on crafts and games
• Children’s costumes, activity books and activity packs are available
• Medieval nursery with games and toys
• Beautiful gardens, maze and trails
• Tea room serving locally sourced homemade cakes, snacks and light lunches
Tennants Auctioneers
Tennants Auctioneers is situated 0.7 miles (a 1-minute drive) from Leyburn Market Place on the A684 Harmby Road: satnav postcode DL8 5SG.
Tennants is one of the largest auction houses in the UK, holding more than 80 sales each year and attracting buyers and sellers from around the world. Adjacent to Tennants’ auction venue on the same beautiful site is The Garden Rooms their multi-purpose events and exhibitions venue.
You can bid for a bargain at Tennants, browse future auction lots, enjoy a meal or celebration all at Leyburn’s magnificent auctions venue. The Garden Rooms At Tennants is the UK’s largest multi-purpose venue dedicated to weddings, conferences, events, auctions and exhibitions with a capacity for 640 people. Opened in 2015, it was purpose-designed and built.
The Garden Rooms is a stunning and unique extension to Tennants Auctioneers, the largest saleroom in Europe. Its museum-quality galleries and exhibitions showcase fascinating, intriguing ever-changing collections and item lots for upcoming sales – many of which are on public view for the first and only time.
Set over two spectacular floors it incorporates an award-winning café, a stylish and modern restaurant and interesting gift shop. They have two public galleries which are open daily where you will see exciting and unusual forthcoming sale highlights, as well as specially curated exhibitions of art and objects. Tennants have a busy calendar of sale previews, musical and theatrical performances, lectures, workshops and exhibitions, so there is always something there that the whole family can enjoy.
In addition, Tennants have 12 rooms which can be hired for public or private events such as an intimate dinner, a business conference, a product launch, or a wedding celebration – so whilst you’re there take a look and get ideas!
Manor Farm Café
The Manor Farm Café is a popular biker friendly café: Manor Farm Café satnav postcode DL8 5QH. Manor Farm Cafe is located 1.4 miles from Leyburn Market place on the A6108, north towards Bellerby and Richmond.
Everyone is welcome “ You don’t have to be a biker .” There is also a motorcycle accessory shop and MOT station on site.
Harmby Waterfall
Harmby Waterfall is located 1.1 miles east from Leyburn Market Place: satnav postcode DL8 5PE. Harmby Falls is an attractive and easy to access waterfall located in the small village of Harmby – across the road and down the lane from the Pheasant Inn and Caravan Park there is a wooden direction pathway sign, by the parish council noticeboard, garden and bench seat. Harmby waterfall can be viewed from the bridge or for the more adventurous there is a small gate at the bottom of the ravine allowing access to the bottom of the waterfall.
The Forbidden Corner
Forbidden Corner is located at Coverham in the Yorkshire Dales, 4.5 miles south from Leyburn Market Place: satnav postcode DL8 4TQ. Getting there is very easy and is well signposted with brown tourist signs. For advance bookings telephone +44(0)1969640638.
Families with young children should definitely try The Forbidden Corner, an ideal attraction to visit with a unique labyrinth of tunnels, chambers, follies and surprises created within a four-acre garden in the heart of Tupgill Park. A tourist visitor attraction unlike anywhere that you have been before!
The Forbidden Corner has its own Corner Cafe and Gift Shop that provides a wide variety of foods, from their own Devil Burger to jacket potatoes with a choice of fillings and a selection of cakes, pastries and hot and cold drinks.
For on-site accommodation Leyburn – with your family on the Tupgill Park estate, there are seven cottages to choose from; all of the cottages are self-catering and feature fully fitted kitchens, a comfortable lounge and stylish bathrooms. They are very dog friendly.
Book more than 1 night stay with us in their cottages and receive a free 1 Day Pass entry into the Forbidden Corner for the number of guests staying in the accommodation. There are also 9 bed and breakfast units available. Additionally, there is a bridal suite with stunning views of Coverdale. Telephone +44(0)1969 640 596.
For meals at The Saddle Room on the Tupgill Park estate, telephone +44(0)1969 640 596. All food is sourced locally and within a 10-mile radius where possible – The Saddle Room has recently won the prestigious local best restaurant award twice.
Campbells of Leyburn
R. Campbell & Sons of Leyburn is definitely no ordinary supermarket and a browse there is a very good reason to visit Leyburn: Campbells Supermarket satnav postcode 4 Commercial Square, Leyburn DL8 5BP.
Established in 1868, Campbell’s of Leyburn is an award-winning, family-owned supermarket and world-class wine retailer that has been meeting the needs and exceeding the expectations of local customers and visitors for generations.
In addition to Campbell’s own distinctive style of stress-free country supermarket shopping, Campbell’s is a visitor-attraction in its own right. Its thriving Wine Club with an in-store, events area and renowned traditional butchery and deli are among the unique features that attract customers from far afield.
Campbell’s has the widest selection of international wines in the region and their flourishing Wine Club based in a purpose-designed events area and lounge is known as “Upstairs at Campbell’s”
Campbell’s has an in-house butchery department with the expertise and contacts to source and offer the finest locally-reared and rare breeds’ meat. They have an extensive range of cheeses from around the world, including a large selection of local Yorkshire Dales Wensleydale cheeses.
Campbell’s has a reputation for helping artisans and small manufacturers get their products into the marketplace, so any purchases you make will help these small independent businesses thrive.
Leyburn – Aysgarth Falls Information Centre
Aysgarth Falls National Park Centre Address: Aysgarth Falls, Leyburn, North Yorkshire, DL8 3TH
Aysgarth Falls Information Centre Car Park satnav postcode DL8 3TH. Cost £2.70 for 2 hours. Mon-Sun 10:00 – 17:00.
Car parking for 80 cars – it is ideally located as a base to visit the superb tumbling Aysgarth Falls on the River Ure. It is very close to all 3 waterfalls and there is a picnic area near the upper falls.
Aysgarth Falls is 7.8 miles (11 minutes) from Leyburn Market Place. A taxi will be around £19 to £23 – or take the Little White Bus, a 20-minute ride from Leyburn Market Place to Carperby War Memorial and walk from there to Aysgarth Falls (18-minute walk, just under 1 mile), or there is a regular between Leyburn and Hawes via Aysgarth. The National Park Centre and Falls are then about a 15-minute walk away.
Aysgarth Falls Information Centre Opening Times
- April to October – open daily – 10.00 am to 5.00 pm
- November to March – weekends only – 10.00 am to 4.00 pm
- Closed throughout January
- Additional openings: 22 & 23 December plus 27 to 31 December
- Please note: opening hours are subject to change – best to call to prior 01969 662910
From Aysgarth Falls Information Centre, there are plenty of other lovely walks in the area through the surrounding woods or perhaps head up to the lovely villages of Carperby or Aysgarth.
Next to Aysgarth Falls Information Centre is the Coppice Café which serves a wide selection of drinks and meals focused on ingredients locally-sourced from the Yorkshire Dales.
Aysgarth Falls, Yorkshire Dales – a wonderful place to visit for all ages, a very worthwhile location to add to your Itinerary!
Hotels Leyburn
An excellent place to stay or dine in the Leyburn area is the Wyvill Arms at Constable Burton: Satnav postcode location DL8 5LH.
The Wyvill Arms is well established and a regular in the Good Pub, Good Food and Michelin guide books. The proprietor and chef Nigel Stevens prides himself and his family on using local produce for the majority of his menu. Many of the herbs are grown in his own garden which commands beautiful views over the magnificent Yorkshire Dales.
The Wyvill Arms pub’s bar has a welcoming log fire as does the Bistro for those cold winter’s days and nights. Both have comfortable and private seating areas. The Bistro offers a full range of food, from bar snacks to restaurant-style dishes. The Wyvill Arms offers a wide range of drinks including local beers and an excellent range of reasonably priced wines. Nigel has name-checked butchers Hammonds of Bainbridge, fish, fruit and veg suppliers Carrick’s of Bedale and Leyburn-based White Bedding Company as some of his trusted local Yorkshire Dales suppliers.
The pub’s name is derived from the nearby splendid Constable Burton Hall Gardens originally built in 1768 for Sir Marmaduke Wyvill, designed by the celebrated architect John Carr.
Outdoor seating at the rear of the pub provides magnificent views out over the Yorkshire Dales. To book a meal reservations phone +44(0)1677 450 581
They offer seven, individually designed en-suite bedrooms of varying sizes to accommodate everyone from the single visitor to a family group. Each room provides a colour TV, unmetered free wifi, hairdryer, hospitality tray, iron and complimentary luxury toiletries. To book accommodation phone +44(0)1677 450581
