Helmsley, North Yorkshire

Helmsley lies on the main route through the North Yorks Moors to the coast in the district of Ryedale - a peaceful and unspoilt market town favoured by walkers and holidaymakers who take the opportunity to stop, explore and take refreshment at one of the many inns and tea-rooms.

The stunning buildings that are found in Helmsley are testament to its early prosperity as a weaving centre back in the 17th century.

Today walkers regularly gather at the market cross to begin England's longest long-distance footpath journey, The Cleveland Way, which continues for 108 miles around the North York Moors National Park.

Helmsley is dominated by its castle ruins, which date back to around the year 1200 - indeed local children have an image of the castle emblazoned on their school sweatshirts. Like so many Royalist strongholds, it was blown up by the Parliamentarians in the Civil War to prevent it from being used again. The only buildings still in good repair today are the west tower and the later mansion build by Edward Manners, the 3rd Earl of Rutland who owned the site from 1563 to 1587.

The town, with its beautiful riverside walks, traditional tea rooms and genteel country pubs, has certainly lost nothing of its timeless appeal which draws people from all over the world. Perhaps its most famous asset is Duncombe Park, a fine baroque mansion which has been, in turn, the Duncombe's family seat for nearly three centuries, a hospital and a girls' school until it was bought in 1985 by Lord Feversham, a cousin of the third and last Earl, who restored it to its former glory and opened it to the public in 1990.

Another highlight of the town is the Walled Garden, originally built in 1756 by the Faversham family to provide the family with fruit, veg, herbs and cut flowers. Today a small team of staff and volunteers welcome visitors to view their ongoing restoration work.

Helmsley has a wide range of accomodation from budget to luxury hotels, bed and breakfasts and guest house accommodation.

50 Walks in North Yorkshire

Explore all that north Yorkshire has to offer with the help of this slim-line pocket-sized walking guide. The guide offers over 50 walks, including Hubberholme, Keld, Fountains Abbey, Rosedale and Robin Hood's Way. A lively introduction to the county sets the scene.

Yorkshire Coast and North York Moors Landscapes (Heritage Landscapes)

Offers a portrait of two of Yorkshire's gems - the North York Moors and its dramatic coastline. This book provides comprehensive coverage of the major attractions that include the Heritage Coast and the National Park.

North York Moors (Freedom to Roam Guides) (Freedom to Roam Guides)

York Evening Press, April 1, 2006

'written by ramblers who clearly know their ground . . . these are books about roaming . . . And all the better for it.'

Dalesman

Get inside the 'real' Yorkshire with the county's best-selling magazine. Each issue contains fascinating and thought-provoking stories about the people and the places that make Yorkshire so special.

UK 12 issues - £12.50
Europe & US 12 issues - £32.50

Yorkshire Business Insider

Yorkshire Business Insider magazine offers a monthly diet of the most up to date factual and statistical information on any given area of Yorkshire business. Insider remains committed to providing an independent perspective on the conduct, development and direction of business as well as the economic, social and political issues facing Yorkshire today.

UK 12 issues - £50.00
Europe & US 12 issues - £65.00