The North Yorkshire market town of Helmsley is an ideal location for a holiday in North Yorkshire.
It’s just 24 miles almost directly north of the City of York, with all its fascinating history, on the edge of the North York Moors National Park, and is also within easy reach of Scarborough’s beaches (31 miles) and the beautiful seaside town of Whitby (34 miles) on Yorkshire’s east coast. It’s also handy for the other great National Park in Yorkshire – the Yorkshire Dales – whose boundary is just 35 miles away to the west.
Helmsley Hotels and Inns in Helmsley
There’s a wide range of hotels in and around Helmsley – ranging from small family run establishments, to four and five star large country house hotels. The Feversham Arms is right in the centre of town and offers a luxurious stay with just about every facility that you could need. The Feathers is a traditional Yorkshire inn located in the Market Place and offers a friendly traditional Yorkshire welcome. The Pheasant Hotel overlooks a mill stream and the village pond in Harome, a charming village close to Helmsley.
Guest accommodation in Helmsley
Hotels aren’t everyone’s cup of tea and if you prefer something a little more homely than a hotel, there’s a good selection of guest houses and B&Bs in Helmsley. No 54 is that very rare example of a 5-star bed and breakfast – and it’s right in the heart of Helmsley in Bondgate. Another excellent B&B in Helmsley is Orchard Cottage in Pottergate, near the town’s superb Arts Centre. Stilworth House offers excellent 4-star bed and breakfast – with views of the beautiful parish church of All Saints and the English Heritage property Helmsley Castle.
Nawton is a small village just three miles from Helmsley, and it’s there you’ll find High Rigg Bed & Breakfast – a grand Victorian villa set in 5 acres of pasture and woodland.
Five miles to the southwest of Helmsley lies the historic village of Ampleforth, with its renowned Abbey and College. Shallowdale House in Ampleforth provides five-star B&B in this luxurious Guest House.
Hawnby is 6 northwest of Helmsley (you pass the village of Rievaulx with the stunning remains of Rievaulx Abbey on the way there). So what better place for the 4-star rated farmhouse B&B at Easterside Farm.
Self-catering cottages in Helmsley
If you’re planning a longer stay and prefer to enjoy all the comfort and privacy of a home from home, Helmsley has a wealth of self-catering options. Fleur de Lys Cottage in Pottergate takes its name from the award of the Prince of Wales feathers to what was once a pottery and shop in the early part of the last century. The building has now been converted to provide very comfortable four-star accommodation for up to four people in two bedrooms. Red Grouse Cottage is also in Pottergate and very handy for the shops, restaurants and tourist attractions at the heart of this 12th century town. It has two bedrooms (sleeping up to four people) and is furnished throughout to a very high standard.
Church View can sleep up to seven people in three bedrooms. This well-appointed building is, as the name suggests, near the parish church at the centre of town.
If you prefer to stay out of town, Beadlam Farm Cottage in Pockley may be just the thing. It’s just 2 miles east of Helmsley on a working farm – sleeping up to five in two rooms.
There are also many fine caravan parks and campsites nearby – in fact accommodation to suit just about everyone’s preferences.
Helmsley is a great place for eating out – with several award winning restaurants in the town and more a few miles drive away. There are cafés and excellent tea-rooms too. Shopping in Helmsley is a treat. There’s lots of parking in the Market Place, and some stunning boutique style shops – where service is still the priority. And you don’t have to go very far to find lots to see and do, including the remains of Helmsley Castle, Helmsley Arts Centre, the Helmsley Walled Garden, Duncombe Park – a very fine country house, and much, much more within a short drive.
There’re also plenty of activities – from gentle walks to cycling, horse-riding and pony-trekking – and all in the beautiful Yorkshire countryside. And, for a special treat, there’s the North Yorkshire Moors Railway – steam engine journeys through the National Park and Heartbeat country.
Things to do and see nearby:
Great walks – the Cleveland Way (110 miles) starts in Helmsley
Duncombe Park
Helmsley Castle
Helmsley Walled Garden
Castle Howard
North York Moors Railway
Rievaulx Abbey
Riding
Cycling
Pony-trekking