Helmsley

Helmsley is a market town in the Ryedale district of North Yorkshire.

Helmsley sits just outside the North York Moors National Park and indeed, the National Park Authority has its headquarters in the town. In recent years the town has become a popular foodie destination with numerous restaurants and delis in the town and surrounding villages.

The centre of the town is the large market square, which is surrounded by well-kept stone buildings.

• Helmsley Tourist Information Centre, Helmsley Castle Visitor Centre, Castlegate, YO62 5AB, +44 1439 770173.

Helmsley Tourist Information Centre, Helmsley Castle Visitor Centre, Castlegate, YO62 5AB, +44 1439 770173.

• Helmsley Castle, 14 Castle Gate, YO62 5AB, +44 1439 770442. Dates back to the 12th Century Adults £5.20, Children £3.10, Family Ticket £13.50.
• Rievaulx Abbey, Rievaulx, YO62 5LB, +44 1439 798228. Set in a remote valley in the North Yorkshire Moors National Park, a short distance to the north-west of the town, Rievaulx is one of the most complete, and atmospheric, of England’s abbey ruins adults £6.00, children £3.60, concessions £5.40.

Helmsley Castle, 14 Castle Gate, YO62 5AB, +44 1439 770442. Dates back to the 12th Century Adults £5.20, Children £3.10, Family Ticket £13.50.

Rievaulx Abbey, Rievaulx, YO62 5LB, +44 1439 798228. Set in a remote valley in the North Yorkshire Moors National Park, a short distance to the north-west of the town, Rievaulx is one of the most complete, and atmospheric, of England’s abbey ruins adults £6.00, children £3.60, concessions £5.40.

• Helmsley Open Air Swimming Pool, Baxtons Road, YO62 5HT. Specific swimming session times daily from June–September. Check locally or on the website.. Heated outdoor swimming pool. The pool itself is beautifully maintained though associated facilities are rather dilapidated due to a shortage of funding.
• The Ryedale Show, Welburn Park, Kirkbymoorside, YO62 4BL (A couple of miles east of Helmsley, just off the main A170 road, before you reach Kirkbymoorside, +44 1653 697820. Said to be the largest one-day agricultural show in the north of England, the Ryedale Show takes place on the last Tuesday of July. With livestock, show jumping, sheep-dog trials, trade stalls, craft stalls, food outlets and more, it's an enjoyable day out for visitors of all ages.

Helmsley Open Air Swimming Pool, Baxtons Road, YO62 5HT. Specific swimming session times daily from June–September. Check locally or on the website.. Heated outdoor swimming pool. The pool itself is beautifully maintained though associated facilities are rather dilapidated due to a shortage of funding.

The Ryedale Show, Welburn Park, Kirkbymoorside, YO62 4BL (A couple of miles east of Helmsley, just off the main A170 road, before you reach Kirkbymoorside, +44 1653 697820. Said to be the largest one-day agricultural show in the north of England, the Ryedale Show takes place on the last Tuesday of July. With livestock, show jumping, sheep-dog trials, trade stalls, craft stalls, food outlets and more, it's an enjoyable day out for visitors of all ages.

There's a market in the main square every Friday, but the shopping around the square and along the adjacent streets is good any day of the week, with a good mix of books, crafts, jewellery, food, clothing and gifts.

• Perns of Helmsley, 18 Market Place, YO62 5BL, +44 1439 770249. Butcher and deli selling good quality local meat and game, fruit and veg, cakes, condiments, ready meals and drinks.
• Browns of Helmsley, 22 Market Place, YO62 5BJ, +44 1439 770247. Small, but perfectly formed Department Store. A satellite branch of the well-known Browns of York.

Perns of Helmsley, 18 Market Place, YO62 5BL, +44 1439 770249. Butcher and deli selling good quality local meat and game, fruit and veg, cakes, condiments, ready meals and drinks.

Browns of Helmsley, 22 Market Place, YO62 5BJ, +44 1439 770247. Small, but perfectly formed Department Store. A satellite branch of the well-known Browns of York.

• The Star Inn, Harome, near Helmsley, YO62 5JE, +44 1439 770397. Upmarket gastro-pub, which describes its cuisine as "modern Yorkshire". Very well known, having featured in many local and national newspapers and magazines, and was one of the first pubs in the UK to be awarded a Michelin star rating.
• Desi Spice Club, Main Road, Beadlam, near Helmsley, YO62 7SU, +44 1439 772400. Open every night, 5.30pm-11pm (11.30pm Fr-Sa).. Excellent, award-winning Indian & Bangladeshi restaurant and take-away.
• Ryeburn Tearooms, Cleveland Way, YO62 5AE (At the start of the walk to Rievaulx Abbey, +44 1439 770331. Award-winning ice cream in a myriad of flavours. Large selection of tempting home-made cakes. Toasties, teacakes and sandwiches, and, of course tea and coffee. Friendly service.

The Star Inn, Harome, near Helmsley, YO62 5JE, +44 1439 770397. Upmarket gastro-pub, which describes its cuisine as "modern Yorkshire". Very well known, having featured in many local and national newspapers and magazines, and was one of the first pubs in the UK to be awarded a Michelin star rating.

Desi Spice Club, Main Road, Beadlam, near Helmsley, YO62 7SU, +44 1439 772400. Open every night, 5.30pm-11pm (11.30pm Fr-Sa).. Excellent, award-winning Indian & Bangladeshi restaurant and take-away.

Ryeburn Tearooms, Cleveland Way, YO62 5AE (At the start of the walk to Rievaulx Abbey, +44 1439 770331. Award-winning ice cream in a myriad of flavours. Large selection of tempting home-made cakes. Toasties, teacakes and sandwiches, and, of course tea and coffee. Friendly service.

• The Royal Oak, 15 Market Place, YO62 5BL, +44 1439 770450. 10am - 1.30am 7 days. Pleasant pub right on the market square

The Royal Oak, 15 Market Place, YO62 5BL, +44 1439 770450. 10am - 1.30am 7 days. Pleasant pub right on the market square