Bearskin Cottage Leyburn, Yorkshire Dales

Small but beautiful is Harmby Waterfall, just a ten-minute walk down the road. En route home, stop at The Pheasant Inn pub at the end of the road, a local drinking spot serving real ales.

The location of this Yorkshire Dales accommodation is very accessible and ideally situated for exploring Leyburn, 1.5 miles away. The market town is at the heart of Wensleydale. There’s a fine selection of boutique local shops, cafes and traditional pubs, and a popular weekly market on Friday filled with local produce. We recommend a stop at Carricks for excellent fish and a wide selection of fruit and vegetables.

When looking for places to eat in Leyburn, The Sandpiper Inn and The Black Swan Hotel are great spots. Tennants Auctioneers restaurant and café are also popular, best enjoyed after a visit to the famous sale room.

Campbell’s of Leyburn food shop in the Market Place has a traditional butchery counter, delicatessen, and arguably one of the finest wine selections in the North. Other convenience stores and a butcher are found in the marketplace.

Leyburn also has great walking routes. Rather spectacular is The Shawl, which takes in breathtaking viewpoints in the Dales and loops back via Wensley Falls and Leyburn Old Glebe Nature Reserve. For more invigorating walking and sightseeing, venture further into Wensleydale and the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Aysgarth Falls is a wonderful place to visit, and we can recommend walks on Penhill Beacon and Fremington Edge.

Only a short drive away is the historic Middleham Castle of Richard III fame. We love to rise early and watch the racehorses training on Middleham Gallops. If you are interested in the world of racing, arrange a behind-the-scenes tour of the nearby Sun Hill racing yard.

Discover more ideas for what to do during your romantic weekend break in the UK in our local guides to the area…