So much to explore

So much to explore

‘We visit Leyburn every year mainly for a walking holiday but we love the sense of history. There is much to explore here, we never tire of the town and we will be back next year’ Janet Marshall, visitor

Fame and Fortune

James Herriot, otherwise Alf Wight, has a strong association with Leyburn. He spent the first 10 years of his career with Frank Bingham of Leyburn (referred to as Ewan Ross in the books.)

While you’re there

Take a trip on the Wensleydale Railway line and enjoy an original 1960s diesel train through 17 miles of beautiful countryside into the Yorkshire Dales National Park. But try not to forget to check the railway timetable, trains do not operate every day of the year.

For sale

One of the country’s leading regional auctioneers Tennants are based in the town and run at least 100 fine art, country house, antiques and interiors and specialist sales a year plus exhibitions and events.

The ‘Richard effect’

Leyburn played its part in two of the most turbulent periods for the English monarchy. This has been the year of Richard III, once widely known only as Shakespeare’s murderous hunchback, but in these parts he has always had his supporters. Since the discovery of Richard’s body beneath a car park in Leicester, ‘the Richard effect’ is drawing many more visitors to Middleham Castle, just a couple of miles outside Leyburn.

Local produce

Call in at Campbells of Leyburn for a delicious array of delicatessen foods including one of the widest ranges of Wensleydale cheese as well as a series of goats, cows and ewes milk cheeses from European artisan cheese makers (01969 625600 www.campbellsofleyburn.co.uk

Royal history?

Legend has it that the Leyburn Shawl got its name when the Queen of Scots dropped her shawl while she was making a break from nearby Bolton Castle, where she had been imprisoned (1568-1569). The less romantic version is that The Shawl is really derived from the word Shalle which is itself derived the Scali, the Viking word for huts or dwellings. Other historians think it is an abbreviation of Shawhill, with the word Shaw meaning wood.