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 14^th to Monday 21^s 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.