Neighbourhood know-how, places and people
Loving living here
Cllr Trixie Walker has edited the community magazine, Leyburn Life, since 1998. ‘I think my favourite thing about the town is the clean air. It’s the absolute stillness and relaxed atmosphere,’ she reflects, ‘but it’s the community spirit which has kept everything going during the pandemic.’ As a grocery, Campbell’s of Leyburn is a key part of this community, and has been offering their services throughout lockdown. ‘I love dealing with the public, I get a buzz out of making them happy,’ says store manager Richard Walker. ‘Between us all [the staff and community volunteers who have been bringing food supplies to neighbours], we’ve managed to keep people fed and watered.’
Our glorious county is known for its welcoming people and community spirit, and arguably nowhere epitomises this better than the market town of Leyburn. Nestled in the heart of Wensleydale and on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, it would be easy to mistake it for a sleepy rural settlement, but in reality Leyburn is a hive of activity with a weekly market and a monthly farmer’s market. Although lockdown temporarily forced many of them to close their doors, the town is home to a whole host of independent shops which – more often than not – are owned and run by local people. Head to Buzz or Milners of Leyburn for beautiful clothes, Wensleydale Galleries for stunning artwork, or Serendipity for gifts and interior design inspiration. Campbell’s has been working hard to keep the town well stocked with fresh local produce during the pandemic, while Inspired Chocolate has been offering a delivery service to keep those with a sweet tooth satisfied.
Cafes are in abundance here, too: when it is safe to do so, try Kim’s Café and Bistro (who have been offering takeaways), Chambers Coffee House or Posthorn Tearoom and Café. In the evening, settle down at The Sandpiper Inn which has previously won the Yorkshire Life Dining Pub of the Year, or head to The Leyburn Bolton Arms for a ‘true taste of Yorkshire’.
Leyburn is definitely one for the history lovers, with plenty to add to your ‘must-see’ list once government restrictions allow. Middleham Castle, the former childhood home of Richard III, is just a short drive outside the town centre, as is Bolton Castle, which represents one of the country’s best-preserved medieval castles. Mary Queen of Scots was famously imprisoned here in 1568, and you can follow in her footsteps by wandering along the beautiful Leyburn Shawl – so-called because the Queen is believed to have dropped her shawl here when escaping from the castle.
Town life: It may be in the very heart of the Yorkshire countryside, but don’t let Leyburn’s rural location fool you, since it is well-equipped with local amenities. You’ll find a number of churches here, a bank, a supermarket and two schools. It also has its own railway station, forming part of the Wensleydale Railway which stretches from Leeming Bar to Redmire.#
