Leyburn Shawl, Preston-under-Scar and Wensley Circular
North Yorkshire
Leyburn Shawl is a limestone escarpment about 1.5 miles long on the western edge of Leyburn, giving dogs a grassy path along its top with long views over Wensleydale towards Penhill. Local legend says the name comes from Mary, Queen of Scots, who dropped her shawl here while fleeing captivity at nearby Bolton Castle. This 10.8km circuit from the Market Place walks the whole length of the Shawl, passes the ruins of the Keldheads lead smelt mill and drops to the village of Preston-under-Scar. It then crosses the Bolton Hall estate and Wensley Park to Wensley, where Holy Trinity Church dates from the 13th century, before returning to Leyburn above the River Ure. There are about 225 metres of climbing on grassy and woodland paths, field paths, gates and several stiles, with short stretches of quiet lane.
This is a dog friendly walk that starts and ends in a market town. The wooded Shawl itself is the best stretch for a dog, with moderate off-lead potential under the trees for one with good recall. Beyond it the route crosses farmland where sheep are the usual livestock, so keep your dog on a lead in the fields and on the lanes. There is little water on the high section, so carry some on warm days. Parking is in the Market Place or the larger car park behind the Golden Lion, and Leyburn has plenty of cafes and pubs.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 10.8 km (6.7 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 3 hr 30 min
- Walk Type
- Woodland, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- Cafes, pubs and shops in Leyburn; no facilities on the route itself.
- Parking
- Market Place parking in Leyburn or the car park behind the Golden Lion Hotel (about 120 spaces).
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Leyburn Shawl, Preston-under-Scar and Wensley Circular, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
The Secret Garden - Richmond
Sleeps 4 · 1 dog · Enclosed garden
from £705 / 7 nights
The Old Sorting Office
Sleeps 6 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £1,021 / 7 nights
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All dog friendly stays in North YorkshireDog Friendly Hotels Nearby
The closest dog friendly hotels to Leyburn Shawl, Preston-under-Scar and Wensley Circular. Every dog fact comes from the hotel's own website.
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All dog friendly hotels in North YorkshireFrequently Asked Questions
Is Leyburn Shawl, Preston-under-Scar and Wensley Circular dog friendly?
This is a solid dog-friendly walk, rated 7 out of 10, and makes a great day out for most dogs. The 10.8km circuit starts and finishes in Leyburn, where you'll find plenty of cafes and pubs to round off the walk, and the grassy limestone escarpment of the Shawl is a particularly enjoyable stretch for dogs. The farmland sections require leads due to sheep, and there are stiles along the route, so it's worth bearing that in mind if you have a very large dog.
Can dogs be off lead at Leyburn Shawl, Preston-under-Scar and Wensley Circular?
The wooded Shawl itself offers the best off-lead opportunities, with moderate freedom available for dogs with reliable recall. Once you move beyond the Shawl onto the farmland sections — which cross sheep grazing land around Preston-under-Scar, the Bolton Hall estate, and Wensley Park — leads are essential. So it's a mix: a rewarding off-lead stretch early on, followed by on-lead walking through the fields and quiet lanes.
What should I know before visiting Leyburn Shawl, Preston-under-Scar and Wensley Circular with my dog?
There's little to no water available on the higher sections of the route, so bring enough for your dog, especially on warmer days. The path includes several stiles, which may be tricky for larger breeds, along with gates, field paths and short stretches of quiet lane. Parking is easy in Leyburn — either in the Market Place or the car park behind the Golden Lion Hotel, which has around 120 spaces.
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