Helmsley is a Town in the county of North Yorkshire.
Helmsley is a picturesque market town on the edge of the North York Moors, known for its historic charm, stunning countryside, and welcoming atmosphere. With its medieval castle, quaint stone buildings, and thriving independent shops, it offers a perfect blend of heritage and rural beauty. The town’s bustling market square has been a focal point for centuries, hosting a regular market that brings traders and visitors together in a lively setting. Traditional tearooms, cosy pubs, and boutique stores line the streets, making Helmsley an inviting place to explore.
Helmsley Castle, which dates back to the 12th century, stands as a striking reminder of the town’s past. Once a powerful fortress, it later became a Tudor mansion before falling into ruin after the English Civil War. Today, visitors can wander through its remains and enjoy panoramic views across the surrounding landscape. Nearby, the Walled Garden offers a beautifully restored haven filled with colourful borders, orchards, and tranquil seating areas. Another historic highlight is Rievaulx Abbey, just a short walk or drive from the town, where the impressive ruins of this former Cistercian monastery create a dramatic contrast against the rolling green hills.
Helmsley is also a gateway to the North York Moors, making it a paradise for walkers and outdoor enthusiasts. The Cleveland Way, one of England’s most scenic long-distance trails, begins here, leading across the moors and along the dramatic Yorkshire coast. Duncombe Park, a grand country estate with landscaped gardens and woodland walks, adds to the town’s appeal, while the National Centre for Birds of Prey provides a unique experience with daily flying displays. Whether visiting for its history, scenery, or warm community feel, Helmsley captures the essence of a traditional English market town with a timeless charm that keeps visitors returning.
There are great places to visit near Helmsley including some great waterfalls, ruins, historic monuments, hiking areas, villages, rivers and streams, towns, caves, limestone pavements, mountains, cities, historic buildings, hills, geological features, castles, old mines, country parks, parks, gardens and ancient sites.
There are a several good waterfalls in the Helmsley area like Catrigg Force, Lockin Garth Force, Whitfield Gill Force, Slape Wath Waterfall, Mill Gill Force, Cotter Force, and Aysgill Force.
There are a several good ruins in the Helmsley area like Bolton Abbey, Byland Abbey, Norton Tower (ruin), Easby Abbey (ruin), Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden, Fountains Abbey (ruin), and Trig Point on Warrendale Knotts.
The area around Helmsley features a number of interesting historic monuments including Bolton Abbey, Rylstone Crag and Rylstone Cross, Culloden Tower, and Robin Hood's Well (Fountains).
There are a number of hiking areas near Helmsley including Deepdale, Cotterdale, Southerscales, Ingleton Waterfalls Trail, Swilla Glen, Baxenghyll Gorge, and Raven Ray.
The area around Helmsley boasts some of the best villages including Pool-in-Wharfedale, Askrigg, Hardraw, West Burton, Bainbridge, Aysgarth, and Malham.
The area around Helmsley features a number of interesting rivers and streams including Whitfield Beck, Mill Gill, Hardraw Beck, River Wharfe, and Walden Beck at West Burton.
The area around Helmsley boasts some of the best towns including Hawes, Skipton, Grassington, Richmond, Middlesbrough, Harrogate, and Settle.
Great Douk Cave, White Scar Cave, Yordas Cave, Gaping Gill, Janet's Cave, Horseshoe Cave, and Jubilee Cave are great places to visit near Helmsley if you like caves.
Southerscales, Malham Cove, and Warrendale Knotts Limestone Pavement are great places to visit near Helmsley if you like limestone pavements.
The area around Helmsley's best mountains can be found at Ingleborough.
Helmsley has some unmissable cities nearby like York, and Ripon.
There are a several good historic buildings in the Helmsley area like York Minster, Marton House, Norton Tower (ruin), Church of St Peter - Rylstone, Culloden Tower, and Beggar’s Bridge.
Helmsley's best nearby hills can be found at Addlebrough, Embsay Crag, Rylstone Crag and Rylstone Cross, Warrendale Knotts, Giggleswick Scar, Blua Crags, and Sugar Loaf Hill.
Don't miss Malham Cove, Grassington Lead Mines, and Brimham Rocks's geological features if visiting the area around Helmsley.
Don't miss Skipton Castle, Richmond Castle, and Bolton Castle's castles if visiting the area around Helmsley.
Don't miss Grassington Lead Mines's old mines if visiting the area around Helmsley.
Country Parks to visit near Helmsley include Brimham Rocks.
Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden, Fountains Abbey (ruin), and Studley Royal Water Garden are some of Helmsley best parks to visit near Helmsley.
There are a number of gardens near to Helmsley including Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden.
Schoolboys Tower, Jubilee Cave, and Victoria Cave are great places to visit near Helmsley if you like ancient sites.
Helmsley History
There are some historic monuments around Helmsley:
Places to see near Helmsley
History of Helmsley
The charter created the burgage plots â long, narrow plots which can still be seen in the property boundaries on the west side of Castlegate and east side of Bridge Street. Large-scale sheep farming, wool production and weaving were the mainstay of Helmsleyâs economy for several centuries. Despite setbacks, including marauding Scots and the Black Death, Helmsley grew steadily throughout the Middle Ages. When wool production declined after the dissolution of Rievaulx Abbey, Helmsleyâs weavers turned to flax, much of which was imported. The weavers were located on Bond and Bridge Streets. By the beginning of the 17th century the form of Helmsley was largely complete, and many buildings in use today date from this period. The oldest surviving house is Canon’s Garth, the vicarage. The town remained with the holders of the barony of De Ros through the Earls of Rutland and the Dukes of Buckingham until it was sold to the city financier, Sir Charles Duncombe in about 1689.
