Leyburn
| Leyburn | |
| Yorkshire North Riding | |
|---|---|
 Leyburn Market Square | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SE114904 |
| Location: | 54°18’32"N, 1°49’44"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 1,844 |
| Post town: | Leyburn |
| Postcode: | DL8 |
| Dialling code: | 01969 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Richmondshire |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Richmond (Yorks) |
Leyburn is a small market town in the North Riding of Yorkshire, sitting above the northern bank of the River Ure in Wensleydale.
The name 'Leburn' is derived from the Old English Leag burna meaning "meadow (or clearing) stream".
The town has two markets, several pubs, two banks with cash machines, and many small speciality stores. Market day is Friday.
Town information and business
Leyburn had a population of 1,844 at the 2001 census, but this swells in summer due to its picturesque position in proximity to the Yorkshire Dales. It contains a range of public services, with a primary school, secondary school which serves the whole of Wensleydale, a police station and a medical centre. Several independently owned shops are situated around a market square with a number of pubs and bars. It is home to Tennant's auction house, a small department store called Milner's and others, including: Campbell's supermarket, a chocolate shop, a range of oriental takeaways, electrical stores and a hunting and sports shop.
Although a small town, Leyburn has its own railway station on the re-opened Wensleydale Railway which offers tourist rides throughout the dale, mostly on diesel multiple units but occasionally on a steam train. The town of Leyburn has a 6,000 square foot antiques centre on Harmby Road. The town also has a local market in the town centre every Friday and a farmers' market which specialises in local meats once a month.
Leyburn has two hotels and several bed and breakfasts situated in or close to the town centre. The town is a centre for walking, cycling and general sight-seeing, especially the waterfalls for which Wensleydale is renowned. The town is famous for the Leyburn Shawl, an escarpment of about 1.5 miles in length which provides panoramic views of rolling Wensleydale. According to legend, Mary, Queen of Scots, upon fleeing captivity in nearby Bolton Castle, dropped her shawl en route to Leyburn. The Shawl is the start of several circular walks taking in the nearby village of Wensley, from where Wensleydale takes its name.
Events
- Dales Festival of Food and Drink, held over May Day bank holiday weekend
- Wensleydale agricultural show at the end of August
The local Rotary Club sponsors the annual Wensleydale Wander in March or April. The Wander is an organised walk with two options; a shorter walk of 12 miles and a longer walk of 22 miles.