WENSLEY TO HARMBY, THROUGH LEYBURN, ALONG THE SHAWL AND BACK TO WENSLEY!

What an unexpectedly beautiful day we chose to go walking, the last day in March, how lucky we were! We decided to meet at Wensley, park on the newly surfaced layby, and set off in an easterly direction. The walk was to be about eight miles, easy going, no long hills and there was just a couple of fields which I hadn’t walked before, always exciting!

We also walked through Leyburn so you could keep in mind for a lunch stop or whatever you would like. Please do plan your route beforehand and wear appropriate footwear and clothing and always take something to drink and snacks even though Leyburn is on the horizon!

As mentioned, we parked in Wensley in the layby on the A684 on the west side of the bridge, if full you can park in front of the church in the village. Walk in an easterly direction past the church on Low Lane, over the flat bridge and turn immediately left up a steep little hill. As the road bends to the left you will see a gated stile, go through here and follow the footpath more or less on the same level to the A6108, Leyburn to Middleham road. Turn right and walk down hill for a few yards to the next footpath gate on your left, through here and again keep walking on the same level until you come to Craken House. Turn left here, past Walk Mill, to the next track off to the right. Take this and follow the path through the fields to Harmby.

We did a little detour here to have a look at the waterfall there, if you would like to do that, turn left down the hill, follow the road round to Hargill, turn left up Hargill and at the summit you will see a finger post off to the left. Take this and follow which will bring you into the wood and then the waterfall. Keep to the path to bring you back out onto the road. Turn right here, follow up hill to the A684. Turn left. Walking on here can be quite noisy but the thought of a sit and coffee etc in Leyburn spurred us on. Once in Leyburn pause a while to people watch or whatever.

To the right of the Bolton Arms is Commercial Square, look across to see Campbells, and then once at Campbells take Shawl Terrace. Continue up here, through the kissing gate and onto The Shawl itself. Well worth a sit here to soak in the view, one of the best of Penhill. Continue along a well walked path, eventually into the wood, Leyburn Shawl Plantation, and after a while when the path forks take the top one in the direction of Lady Algitha’s Cave. Which reminds me, I have never yet seen it, just wonder if there is any to find? Continue on until you come to a long, long field, make your way down here, past Tullis Cote farm turning left at the end of the buildings, do not follow the path to the pretty barn in front of you.

Down hill now just keep going until you come out onto a road  passing an ancient chimney on the way with associated buildings. Cross over the road, make your way over the railway line and keep going to the Wensley to Redmire road. Turn left, after a few yards take the finger post on the right to walk through the wood, bear left where it says Private Road, then just before the bungalow look to your left for a footpath gate. Take this and follow down to Bolton Park, sorry force of habit, it is indicated Wensley Park on the map. Once to the concrete road turn left and follow to the A684 to find your car.

If you would like to stay near then do please get in touch with me Nadine or my daughter Joanne on 01969 663559 and I’m sure we can help you find your prefect holiday cottage. Or of course you can book online.