The market town just outside the Yorkshire Dales is a foodie destination
Stay
The Sandpiper Inn lies in the heart of Leyburn just off the market place. Food is very much at the heart of this charming inn - so it is the perfect gourmet getaway – spend the day walking the hills then settle down to an exceptional dinner. Jonathan Harrison and his wife Janine have now been at The Sandpiper Inn for over 20 years, which has given them the opportunity to build a good relationship with local suppliers.
Jonathan’s food pedigree is outstanding - prior to The Sandpiper Inn, Jonathan won the Roux Scholarship. The Sandpiper Inn has achieved many accolades, including Yorkshire Life Dining Pub of the Year. Menu treats include starters of double baked vintage cheddar souffle with courgette ribbons, spinache and Yorkshire Fettle crumb or main of slow-cooked pressed Dales lamb with dauphinoise potatoes, creamed leeks and bramble and mint jus.
Food like this earned The Sandpiper a mention as one of the UK’s best gastropubs in the recently announced Estrella Damm official 100 top Gastropubs line up. There are two characterful beamed bedrooms – dogs are welcome.
Explore
Leyburn is a splendid starting point for explorers of all levels. You’ll be able to get kitted out in the town too plenty of outdoor suppliers to hand. Leyburn's signature walk is a delightful 7-mile circular walk, starting on Leyburn Shawl and meandering through fields, woods, over streams to Preston-under-Scar and Wensley.
An 11-mile circular walk takes in Middleham where you can have a stop-off at the impressive castle and you might spot racehorses on their training runs. This walk includes East Witton – and by then you might have earned a pie and pint at the lovely Blue Lion pub. Another good walk is to Leyburn to Bolton Castle via Preston and Redmire at 6.5 miles.
You’ll enjoy lovely Wensleydale views and the castle has a good teashop. Leyburn itself is a nice place to while away a couple of hours, mooching round antique and charity shops, independent traders such as Milburns and The Wonky Tree Bookshop.Or how about experiencing the buzz of auction day? Tennant’s Auction House is a great place to visit, featuring auctions for all manner of items, old, new quirky and collectable.
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Eat
If you love to embrace local produce then check out the amazing Campbell’s of Leyburn grocery store packed with great Yorkshire produce, from smoked meats and fish to locally sourced game and meat as well as a splendid cheese selection as you might expect in Wensleydale. Oh, and upstairs an entire floor dedicated to wine!
Friday is market day in Leyburn where there’s a nice buzz about the place and stalls to tempt.
Chocolate your thing? At The Little Chocolate Shop in Leyburn you can see (and smell) chocolate being made in dozens of varieties.
On the doorstep in Leyburn there are some impressive places to dine. The Saddle Room is at the popular Forbidden Corner attraction with an open charcoal grill for juicy steaks as well as Yorkshire gammon, local lamb and hearty pies.
The Wensleydale Heifer is a go-to restaurant with rooms that has a grill room with an outstanding menu of steaks – but also a tempting lobster menu if seafood is your thing. Make sure you're hungry – portions are legendary. For good pub grub the Wyvill Arms is recommended – and takeaways from Pradeeps Kitchen.
For fine dining or afternoon tea in lovely riverside surroundings, Yorebridge House in Bainbridge is a nearby foodie destination or dine at Simonstone Hotel which has cracking views across the dale.
READ MORE: Why you should move to Leyburn
