Helmsley is a charming market town and popular visitor destination. It has a thriving arts & music scene and plenty to recommend it to adult visitors and children alike. It has a bustling market square, boasts a superb selection of tea rooms, pubs and restaurants and has many excellent shops and boutiques.
Helmsley Castle stands proudly above the town. For those that like to discover history it’s a must-see as are the ruined abbeys of Rievaulx and Byland nearby.
Duncombe Park, the home of the Earls of Feversham, is one of Britain’s finest stately homes. It closed its doors to the public in 2011 but the spectacular landscape garden and surrounding parkland are open to visitors.
Historic York lies 24 miles to the south and is only half an hour away. There's a wealth of things to see and do, with the ancient walled centre offering more attractions per square mile than any other destination in the UK.
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Helmsley Art Centre has a 140-seat auditorium and exhibition space. It hosts film screenings, live music, theatre performances, comedy clubs, arts exhibitions, workshops and classes throughout the year. Helmsley also has an open air swimming pool.
Helmsley Walled Garden is set against the backdrop of Helmsley Castle and Duncombe Park. It has undergone extensive restoration as a fully working kitchen garden. The garden, originally built in 1756, incorporates glass houses designed in 1850 as a vine house; and there is a continuing programme of restoring the garden, using appropriate plants where possible.
Helmsley is popular with walkers. It is the start of the Cleveland Way and a great launch pad for other walks across the Yorkshire Moors and Dales which include The Ebor Way, The Dales Way, The White Rose Walk, The Esk Valley Walk, The Lyke Wake Walk and The Tabular Hills Walk.
The Visit Helmsley website is a very useful strating point for my most visitors: www.visithelmsley.co.uk
Places to visit in Helmsley:(Click on title to view website)
• Helmsley Castle |
Places to visit nearby:(Click on title to view website)
• Rievaulx Abbey (3 miles) • North York Moors National Park (on the doorstep) |
Ben's recommendations:
Eating In:
Ben recommends The Fat Chef Company if you would like treat yourself to a delicioius dinner experience. You can make your own selection from their on-line menu, order before your holiday and have the meal delivered to your door. Visit: www.fatchefcompany.co.uk
Eating Out:
New to Helmsley is Bantam Restaurant at 8 Bridge Street, if you like bistro-style food. Visit: www.bantamrestaurant.co.uk
Ben recommends La Trattoria from the Fat Chef Company: Visit: www.fatchefcompany.co.uk/la-trattoria
The Feathers in Helmsley www.feathershotelhelmsley.co.uk
Further afield - (worth the trip if you love good food and drink):
The magnificent seven - Ben's favourite pubs in the area...
The Fairfax Arms in Gilling www.thefairfaxarms.co.uk
The Grapes in Slingsby www.thegrapesinnslingsby.co.uk
The White Horse in Ampleforth www.whitehorseinnampleforth.co.uk
The White Swan in Ampleforth www.thewhiteswan-ampleforth.co.uk
The Durham Ox in Crayke www.thedurhamox.com
The Star at Harome www.thestaratharome.co.uk
The Pheasant Hotel in Harome www.thepheasanthotel.com