A picturesque village in North Yorkshire.
Surrounded by rolling Yorkshire countryside and set around a beautiful village green, with its own nature reserve, Burton Leonard could well be a contender for the ideal Yorkshire village. It has its own village store and post office, local pub and popular cricket club making it a village with a thriving community. Situated just 6.6 miles from Ripon and 9.5 miles from Harrogate; there are regular buses from the village to both Harrogate and Ripon, which offer a wide variety of shopping experiences including local farmers markets and buzzing independent stores full of delicious treats and historic city centres to explore.
Explore the area
There are regular buses to both Harrogate and Ripon, which offer a wide variety of shopping experiences including local farmers markets, buzzing independents full of delicious treats and historic city centres to explore. Ripon has its own majestic cathedral and picturesque canals, as well as playing host to Yorkshire’s Garden Racecourse. In Harrogate you will find fashionable shops set around the ancient Stray and of course the famous Betty’s tea rooms.
The surrounding local areas are crammed full of beautiful locations for days out including the historic houses and gardens of Ripley Castle, Newby Hall and the nearby National Trust property of the enchanting Fountains Abbey. Access to the main arterial route of the A1(M) is just 15 minutes meaning commuting is easy North or South. Train services to London and Edinburgh on the East Coast Main Line are available from Thirsk station, a half hour drive away.
Schools
For schools and education in the area, Burton Leonard Church of England Primary school achieved an Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ rating in 2019. Nearby Ripon Grammar School took the top place for state schools in the North of England in The Sunday Times’ Parent Power Schools Guide 2023 and Harrogate Grammar School came 8th place in the North of England State Schools based on the GCSE results in The Sunday Times’ rankings.
Transport
Leeds Outer Ring Road, also known as the A6120, is a main strategic route for the city of Leeds. At approximately 25 miles long, it runs from Beeston to Bramley, almost circling the entire city. It also connects with the M1 motorway.
The A61 connects north and south Yorkshire, running almost parallel to the M1 from Sheffield through Leeds and up to Harrogate.
Headingley has its own train station, just off Kirkstall Lane, which operates regular trains into Leeds, Knaresborough and York.
Outdoors
Newby Hall & Gardens is a beautiful, historic house surrounded by award winning gardens. There is something for everyone with a large adventure playground, a lake with pedalo boats, water play area with jumping fountains and a miniature railway. Ripley Castle and Fountains Abbey rich in history and with amazing walks to boot. Ripley Castle is open all year round and is the perfect place for afternoon tea and a walk in the gardens. Fountains Abbey is a National Trust property which offers a full day of exploring for all the family.
Attractions
Lightwater Valley is the perfect place for those adrenaline junkies and is just 10 miles north of Burton Leonard, it is home to Europe’s largest roller coaster but also has plenty for younger visitors along with some amazing shows and entertainment for the whole family to enjoy.
If a quieter type of day out is more your thing though, then you can't do any better than Brimham Rocks, it's owned by the National Trust and offers some of the best countryside views in the area.
