Cheesy grin in Wensleydale... Leyburn and Preston-under-Scar Distance: 6 miles.

Byline: Bob Woodhouse

LEYBURN is a fine starting point for a stroll through some of Wensleydale's loveliest settings.

Starting from the Town Hall at the western end of Leyburn market place, we cross the High Street and make our way into Commercial Square.

Continuing along Shawl Terrace, we pass Shawl House (on the left) and pass through gates to make our way along the open grassland of the Shawl.

We soon pass a play area on the right and, beyond groups of trees on our left, are views of Wensley Church and village.

Passing through a gate, we continue through a wooded area with beech trees then walk between stone walls. Pine trees cover both sides of our path as we veer to the right, with a wall on our right. Following this upper route, we continue along the pathway into woodland and down the slope to a squeeze stile.

After 30 yards we reach a wooden kissing gate (on the left) and then walk down the field to another wooden kissing gate.

Bearing to the right across the next field, our well marked route runs across to a wooden gate and then to another kissing gate in the bottom left hand corner of this field.

After making our way through a metal field gate (on our left), we turn immediately to the right into woodland. We soon bear left and continue through the woods to a junction of pathways, where we turn right and cross three becks before reaching a squeeze stile.

Continuing across to the left hand corner of the field, we pass through a metal field gate and reach the public roadway. Turning to the right, we make our way into Preston-under-Scar and, at the junction of roadways, we turn left to pass The Setts on the right.

A squeeze stile leads into a field and we head down the slope past the end of a stone wall and further ahead to cross the railway line. Walking across the next field, we reach a gate and continue down a short flight of steps to reach the public road beside Stoneham Cottage.

Crossing the road with care, we join the track that runs down the slope before bending left and then right (with a wall on our right). Haremine House is close on our right before a left hand turn takes us along the driveway in front of Bolton Hall.

The wide driveway turns ahead past Middle Lodge and through Wensley Park to the A684 road.

We cross with care and continue along the lane past Wensley Church before turning left along the first side road.

Heading up the slope, we follow the right hand bend as far as the wooden field gate on our right and then cross the field to a metal field gate.

Our route then runs along the bottom of the next field to a squeeze stile and then ahead to a wooden kissing gate before swinging to the left up the field edge to a wooden squeeze stile. Walking ahead, we cross a ladder stile into Old Glebe Field, where we cross a wooden foot bridge and then bear left up the field to a squeeze stile.

As we cross the next field there are rugby pitches away to our left and, along the next stretch, a series of eight stiles mark our route.

After this sequence of narrow fields we head diagonally left to a gate beside the railway track and cross with care.

Continuing up the sloping field to the top right hand corner, we pass through a wooden field gate leading to the A684 and turn right to make our way along Wensley Road.

We soon pass Leyburn Dental Surgery (on the right) and make our way back to our starting point at Leyburn Town Hall.

Fact File LOCATION: Leyburn is 11 miles south of Richmond via the A6108 or 12 miles west of Bedale via A684 START: Leyburn Town Hall DISTANCE: 6 miles GOING: Field paths, driveways and sections of roadway. Moderate gradients. Care needed crossing public roads.

REFRESHMENTS: Choice of venues in Leyburn MAP: Ordnance Survey Landranger 99 Northallerton and Ripon DOGS: Under proper control WHEELCHAIR ACCESS: Not suitable

You can also walk this way

REDCAR & Cleveland Walking Festival is under way and here are some dates for your diary: Tomorrow HUMMERSEA CLIFFS and LOFTUS Town, 10am-2.30pm: A six mile circular walk, following in the footsteps of miners and quarry men.

Sunday PARK WOOD, 10am-3pm: An eight mile circular walk taking in the south side of Eston Hills through Park Wood.

Monday COMMONDALE TREK, 9.30am-3.30pm: A 14 mile walk using forest tracks and moorland paths and stopping for a drink in The Cleveland Inn.

Tuesday TWIN VALLEY, 10am-1pm: A 3' mile walk in both Saltburn Valley and Saltburn Gill to discover secrets of ancient and semi ancient woodlands.

Wednesday UPLEATHAM CHURCH, 10am-1.30pm: An easygoing five mile circular walk, including a stop at Upleatham Church to see inside the 12th century Church of St Andrew and hear about the village destroyed by the quest for ironstone.

* All walks are pounds 2 per person with booking essential places allocated on first come, first served basis. Everyone taking part will need suitable clothing and footwear and should bring waterproofs, a drink and a packed lunch. Details of where to meet will be provided with booking confirmation.

Booking forms are available from the council's three Tourist Information Centres at Redcar, Guisborough and Saltburn; all the borough's libraries; the countryside sites of Guisborough Forest and Walkway, Saltburn Valley Woodland Centre and Flatts Lane Woodland Country Park at Normanby.

Details are available on the council's website www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk or call countryside officer Dawn Ferrer on 07909 906311.

Sunday walks listings

CLEVELAND WALKING CLUB at 10am Stanhope. 13 miles. Tel [phone].

MIDDLESBROUGH & DISTRICT RAMBLING CLUB at 10.30am Commondale. 5 miles to 7 miles or 7' miles to 10 miles.

Tel [phone].

RAMBLERS at 2pm Lealholm car park in centre of village. 6 miles to 8 miles.

CAPTION(S):

WENSLEYDALE DIARY ENTRIES: Wensley Church (above) and Bolton Hall (top)