On the River Ure sits a town with a name that means clearing by the stream. It is Leyburn – North Yorkshire, a part of the Richmondshire district. Leyburn shares this part of the river with its neighbor, Middleham, that sits just across a stone bridge construction in 1829.
The town’s market is held in the town square each Friday. Very few markets held in Yorkshire have lasted as long as this open air attraction. Visitors will find fruits, vegetables and other staples. They will also find linens, dinnerware, and other luxurious goods.
All around the square, visitors will find inviting pubs ready to serve them a pint of beer and food that is rich and hearty. It may be the perfect way to prepare for a day of sporting activities like hiking or fishing. For those who are not so energetic, a day at one of the inns on the square, relaxing with a good book might be a better choice. The market in the square can create an appetite for more shopping. If so, the town is home to Tennants which is among the most grand auction houses in England.
When visitors are ready to venture out of town, a trip to Forbidden Corner would take them into another world entirely. This Tupgill Park attraction, voted one of Yorkshire’s best choices for children, is a combination garden and art installation. Children of all ages can enjoy finding their way through the woodland areas, walled gardens, and tunnels that wander through the park. Maps are not provided so exploration is required.
The town of Leyburn lies at the eastern edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park section called Lower Wensleydale. To get a taste of what they might find in the Dales, visitors can leave the town square and head to the Shawl which overlooks Wensleydale. If they are drawn to spend time in the Dales, they can see cairns from the bronze-age, ruins from medieval times, stones carved by Scandinavians, all within sight of unspoiled meadows.
Visitors can also take a scenic ride through the Dales on the Wensleydale Railway. The railway first came to town in November of 1855. For nearly a century, the train came to town bringing passengers, packages and milk. In 1954, the station was closed because more and more people and goods were traveling by road instead. Happily, the station reopened in 2003 and plans for expanding the number of lines serving the station are in place.
Leyburn – North Yorkshire offers visitors many special events like the Dales Festival of Food and Drink and the Wensleydale Wander. Other, attractions like Forbidden Corner and the Yorkshire Dales are available all year. Combined with these sites, the Friday market and the pubs and inns make Leyburn a summer destination for many tourists.
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