Peaceful village of Preston under Scar near Leyburn in Wensleydale in the Yorkshire Dales

Have you ever been to Preston under Scar? It’s not a village you would go through as the main routes bypass the village to the north and to the south. If you haven’t been its time to take a detour and have a little look! The Little White Bus stops on the road below the village if you prefer or park where you can at the side of the road and have a wander, a linier village with amazing views across the dale to Penhill. There is a small Methodist chapel and mission room, a children’s play area, a little nature reserve to the west of the village, pretty cottages and the original telephone box! When all has been explored, which won’t take too long, have a break then set off on one of the many walks from there. No pub or restaurant in the village but Redmire is just a short drive away or Wensley where either have welcoming hostelries and of course you’re not far from Leyburn.

A lovely walk from Preston under Scar, but quite long, which we have done with our little walking group is to the north of the village through the wood immediately behind and to arrive at Cobscar Mill passing here up onto the moor and eventually down to Castle Bolton, east to Redmire and back to Preston under Scar. Quite a walk but stunning views of Wensleydale all the way. Plan your route before you set off.

An extract from Wikipedia about the village ‘There are remains of the old lead mining industry in the nearby Condenser Wood. Some of the old lead processing buildings are still standing and are now listed buildings, including the peat store that would house a years' worth of peat to be used in smelting lead. Various chimneys were built to vent the fumes from the smelting process, but these were quite low in the valley and would cling to the surroundings rather than disperse. Because of this, a flue was constructed that extended for 2 miles in a northerly direction and fed into a chimney at Cobscar Mill above Preston-under-Scar at 1,250 feet above sea level.’

For a shorter walk, explore the footpaths to Condenser Wood although I feel this may be marked on the map as Gillfield Wood. Walk down to Wensley and along the river and back, just wonderful.

If you’d like to stay nearby we have stunning cottages in Wensleydale, have a look on our website for ideas and availability or do call me, Nadine, or my daughter Joanne on 01969 663559 for friendly help and advice.