Magnificent Views along The Shawl From Leyburn

I know we’ve walked along The Shawl many times but on a clear day it takes some beating. Literally a few yards from Leyburn Market Place and you have a vista to revival many. Across to majestic Penhill with West Witton perched below, past Addlebrough and into upper Wensleydale. To the east across to Middleham and beyond. A walk of about four and half miles, easy going along a well walked path. I couldn’t resist this photo of the barley field though as it was just amazing to walk through it.

Although the path is well trodden, do plan your route beforehand, wear appropriate footwear and clothing and take drinks and snacks along with the map, GPS etc.

Park in Leyburn wherever you can and find Commercial Square with the Bolton Arms and Campbells the grocers. Campbells is a must visit shop whilst you’re in Leyburn, a treasure trove of delights! Walk past Campbells and walk up Shawl Terrace, west. Continue up the street, turn left at the top, through the kissing gate, into the field and proceed along the footpath. You’ll find a few benches to pause and take in the view, please do it’s far too good not to. When you’re ready continue along The Shawl following the footpath, into the wood with glimpses through the trees of Wensleydale and soon Bolton Castle comes into view. Bolton Castle was the place that Mary Queen of Scots was kept captive following her arrival to England in 1568.

When you reach the place where the path forks take the lower path downhill. Sweep down here to the next gate then progress through to where a track coming from the north joins your westerly path. Here turn north and progress up the hill. We were so lucky to walk on this day as the barley was so beautiful, slinky in the wind making patterns and so delicate to touch, a real treat. Carefully wend your way along the footpath, through a stile and up the hill to the wood. Through the next stile, progress up hill then the path soon veers to the east, follow on through the pretty wood with lots of wild flowers and past Lady Algitha’s Cave marked on the map, coming back to the point where the path forks. From here follow your footsteps back to Leyburn.

Never mind about retracing your steps as the views will be quite different and there’s still time to pause a while on the benches on The Shawl. It was lunch time for us so we plumped to go to the Posthorn café which was excellent.

All our cottages are well within travelling distance of Leyburn so do call me Nadine or my daughter Joanne to book over the telephone on 01969 663559 and for friendly help and advice or of course do book online on our Country Hideaways website.

See you quite soon!