Why you should move to Leyburn near the Yorkshire Dales

Known as the gateway to The Yorkshire Dales National Park, Leyburn is very much a market town with a big heart. Encapsulating all the Dales is known and loved for it’s hard not to feel instantly at home here. From the friendly locals who always have time for a chat to the family-owned stores passed down through the generations and weekly Friday market, it has a charm that’s hard to beat. The Old English meaning of Leyburn is 'the stream in the woodland clearing’ and is very much the starting point for all of Wensleydale’s scenic beauty. Notice the contrast between the traditional Yorkshire stone buildings against the spectacular views of the rolling countryside and dramatic peaks that serve as the town’s picturesque backdrop. As the ‘capital’ of Wensleydale, you’re perfectly placed to explore a number of walking routes. Visit in spring to partake in the Wensleydale Wander where participants can choose to walk or run a 12 or 22 mile set route. Be sure to take a stroll along Leyburn Shawl with views over the rolling dales. Legend has it that Mary Queen of Scots dropped her shawl when escaping from Bolton Castle. Find the castle just six miles outside of Leyburn which is still owned by Richard le Scrope’s descendants who built the castle back in 14th century. Visit the dungeons and the bedroom where the Scottish monarch was imprisoned, or enjoy a range of events such as sword fighting and falconry displays that regularly take place.

The popular Sandpiper Inn. (Image: Kevin Gibson) EXPLORE

Renowned as a town for ‘all seasons’ - there’s something for visitors to see and do all year round here. Whether you have an adventurous spirit or prefer the slower pace of life, Leyburn is well suited to everyone. To fully appreciate the beauty and charm of this Yorkshire Dales town, we recommend exploring on foot, but that’s not to say you should bypass the Wensleydale Railway which runs heritage diesel trains. If you've got the time, travelling to Leyburn by train is an absolute must! The town has its very own train service run by The Wensleydale Railway with a 16-mile long route running between Leyburn and Scruton. There’s the option to jump onboard the gin train for a tasting in style or view some steam engines in the summer months.

Wensleydale Spirit Company try a distillery tour. (Image: Beth Windsor) Be sure to pop into the railway’s neighbour – the Wensleydale Spirit Company – for a distillery tour and some gin, rum and vodka tasting. For a relatively small town, there’s plenty of places to enjoy great food and drink, especially when the Dales Festival of Food and Drink comes to town in May. Michelin-worthy fare can be found at Sandpiper Inn, there’s a plenty of quaint tearooms to pop into, and you’re spoilt for choice with pubs serving up traditional Yorkshire grub. The Garden Rooms at Tennants Auctioneers is the perfect place for a spot of lunch before browsing the incredible collection of antiques, jewellery and works of art up for auction.

Thriving independent shops in Leyburn (Image: Newsquest) There are plenty more art galleries within the centre of town along with other quaint stores such as artisan florist Rosemary and Twine, The Dales Dog Deli, and events and cinema at the arts centre. Testament to what a lovely place Leyburn is to live, there are two stores that have been passed through the family for generations. Campbell's & Sons is a charming grocery store and has served the locals since 1868 with many of its employees having spent their entire working life there. Across the road you’ll find the historic department store – Milners of Leyburn which has been family-owned for five generations.

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Ruth Morris runs Chambers Coffee Shop in the heart of Leyburn. (Image: Beth Windsor) TOWN LIFE

Ruth Morris has lived all her life in Wensleydale and has run Chambers Coffee Shop in the centre of Leyburn for 12 years. Asked why she loves living in Leyburn, she says: ‘It’s lovely, everybody’s so friendly, we’ve got nice independent shops – it’s just an amazing place to live in. The people really make Leyburn the special place it is. The people are so nice and so loyal.’ Her advice to anyone thinking of moving is that ‘you’ve got everything you really need here in the town all within walking distance, so you don’t really need a car. Although the bus service is good, it could be better. It’s just lovely to live here – everyone says morning to everybody, and everyone acknowledges each other.’

Then thriving town centre of Leyburn. (Image: Kevin Gibson) PROPERTY

Leyburn’s heart lies at its market square, but from here you’ll find plenty of streets winding off as they lead to rows of pretty terrace houses and characterful cottages. Go a little further out of town to find larger detached properties and newer builds. Nearby villages offer the opportunity to buy townhouses, farmhouses and even the odd manor house. House prices for the town range from an average of £407,367 for a detached property, £285,071 for a semi-detached, £246,857 for a terrace, and £185,00 for a flat. In terms of schools, there is Leyburn Community and nearby Hawes Community as good options for primary education, for secondary there’s The Wensleydale School in Leyburn and Bedale High with the majority running bus services within the area. The locals assure us you don’t need a car to get around here, but we think it’s necessary if you want to go further afield as Ripon is a 40-minute car journey. There is a local bus service along with the Wensleydale Railway, and it has to be said that it’s an ideal spot for cyclists. There are many picturesque spots close by such as Aysgarth Falls and the Yorkshire Three Peaks, but the towns of Richmond, Bedale and Northallerton are only a short journey away if you’re craving that cosmopolitan feel!