The Leyburn Turner Trail Walking and Art Festival Friday, Saturday and Sunday 18, 19 and 20 June
The
Artist J M W Turner visited Wensleydale in the summer of 1816 and made sketches
at many of the beauty spots which we all
know and love today.
He travelled alone, on horse back and carried with him three large sketch books. He stayed overnight at inns, and sometimes he must have been very cold and wet, as the weather was often showery and blustery.
We decided that the theme for our Walking Festival would be Turner, and we are going to do a long walk and a short walk on each of the three days, to the places in Wensleydale where Turner sketched. He later turned the sketches into some of his most famous Watercolours.
Public transport
Public transport will be used on each day, to take walkers to the start of each walk, and to return them to Leyburn. We are going to be using The Dales and District bus service, the Wensleydale Vintage bus service and the trains run by Wensleydale Railway. Ideally we would ask you to leave the car at home – and give it a holiday! Arrive in Leyburn by train from Leeming Bar, by bus from Northallerton or for the shorter walks by bus on the number 36 bus from Leeds or Harrogate which connects with the Wensleydale Vintage Bus in Ripon. For those who prefer to come by car, please use the pay & display car park which is behind the Golden Lion in Leyburn market place. £3.50 per day or the one on Richmond Road which has an honesty. Parking in the Market Place is designed to offer short-stay carparking for shoppers.
Special train
If you would like to come for the weekend, we have plenty to entertain you! On the Friday evening Wensleydale Railway are running a special train, called Alesman, an evening of music, food and fine ales. Tel. 08454505474 to book for this event.
60s and 70s night
Saturday evening sees the committee of Leyburn
Walkers are Welcome hosting a Sixties/Seventies night at Tennants Auction House
in Leyburn. Live Band, Buffet and Bar. Tickets are £16 and are on sale at The
Dales Haven Guest House. Tel 01969 623814.
Turner Trail Art Exhibition
We are
also having an exhibition of Art at Tennants from Monday 14th to
Monday 21s June. Local Artists are going to have on display their
interpretations of a Turner Scene. The school children of Wensleydale are
joining in too – so it should be a very interesting exhibition. Most of the
paintings will be for sale.As well
as the Turner Trail walks we are also having a walk for dogs and their owners,
and two walks whichwill be lead by a wild flower enthusiast. These last two
walks are particularly aimed at children, accompanied by an adult. So there
really is a walk for everyone!
Own risk
People taking part in the walks do so at their own risk. Please book the walks in advance as numbers are limited. £3 per walk. Contact Leyburn Tourist Information Centre 01748 828747.