Helmsley – Visitors will be Spoilt for Choice
The wonderful market town of Helmsley is just great for a mooch about and not to be missed. It is one of the country’s most popular markets towns and has even won the Great British High Street Award’s best market town category.
There is so much going on. Visitors can treat themselves to some excellent shopping in the many independent stores, varied boutiques and delicatessens. Anyone after a bite to eat or drink then they will be spoilt for choice. There are so many great cafés, tea rooms, pubs and restaurants to choose from.
The town even hosts a local brewery to sample handcrafted beers and ales from the North York Moors.
Busy Helmsley Market
Helmsley Market Day is on Fridays
So where to start?
Friday is always a good day to go as National Park’s only market town holds its market day in the old Market Place. Helmsley Market is a traditional market that brings together a number of local traders offering a wide range of market stalls of clothes, art, gifts, household goods alongside local farm produce, tasty Yorkshire cheese and beautiful flowers.
Parking is more of an issue on market day as the main square is taken up by the traders. If no parking is available then park in the large Cleveland Way car park under the walls of the impressive Helmsley Castle. The short walk will take you over the bridge across the pretty Helmsley Beck. There are some great little café’s and tea rooms to stop in on the way there too.
However, don’t be disappointed if you miss the market as the town of Helmsley offers so much more to explore all around the market square and little off shoot lanes nearby. Opportunities to unearth little delights for all.
An array of colourful shops will great you with their vibrant colourful hanging baskets and flowers on display brightening up the store fronts and the town.
Colourful Helmsley
Food Shopping, Delicatessens & Local Produce
If you love food then pop into either Hunters of Helmsley or Thomas the Baker which is also a delightful deli and excellent butcher.
- Hunters of Helmsley – For over 30 years, Hunters has provided some of the very best quality food and drink in North Yorkshire. It is a family business that values quality and provenance and they are passionate about sharing this with their customers. As well as providing a wide selection of Yorkshire produce, supporting local and regional suppliers, they scour the globe to find unique products that keep customers coming back for more. The deli counter offers a superb range of handmade to order filled rolls, hearty sandwiches, home baked Yorkshire Pasties, salads, cheese and cured meats. Go upstairs for more, peruse the pantry, check out the wine and drinks, hampers and gifts and homeware.
- Thomas The Baker – From humble beginnings making and baking delicious Chorley cakes in the kitchen, to a highly successful family bakery offering the best in Yorkshire fare. This award-winning family owned business has grown to become synonymous with high-quality, delicious, honest home-baked Yorkshire food. Freshly baked bread and rolls, pies and pastries, platters and deli options and an excellent butchery.
- The Co-op convenience store is also just off the square too.
Helmsley Outdoors Store
Curio Shops & Independent Stores
Here are a short but varied selection of independent stores that can be found in the village of Helmsley. All a short stroll from the Feversham Monument, the memorial to the 2nd Baron Feversham of in the centre of the market square.
- The Helmsley Bookstore – A fine selection of books and gifts from the area for over 20 years. From signed copies of the latest fiction and non-fiction books to cards and lovely selection of gifts.
- The Ginger Bear – Unique luxury gifts and homeware, The Ginger Bear is an independent gift shop, selling unique gifts, clever craft, art, accessories and homeware.
- Browns Helmsley – A delightful small independent department store that has been family owned for over 100 years. It offers a wide selection of high quality branded clothing and home accessories to kitchen and dining.
- Helmsley Outdoors – Since opening the first store in York in 1890, we have been running an independent family owned department store for over 100 years. Expanding into other locations; including Beverley and Gainsborough, Browns have created an experience within their stores. There is a wide selection of products and services on offer within one store.
- Carters Country wear – Founded back in 1977 by Betty Carter, the mother of the present owner and in-house tailor, Jeremy Shaw. He has over 25 years of experience in supplying bespoke suits at affordable prices.
La Trattoria – Helmsley
Where to Eat & Drink
Now after a little retail therapy then it is time to grab some refreshment. The hardest decision is which one to choose? Almost too much choice and they all look inviting, each offering something greatly different. From café’s, tea rooms, snack bars to a great choice of restaurants and pubs.
Try a cup of oat milk latte, long machiatto or creamy cappuccino and a headline ‘huge sourdough bap’ with four rashers of crispy bacon at Barkers Café Bar in the courtyard at Barkers Yard.
Helmsley Walled Garden – The Vinehouse Cafe
Helmsley Walled Garden
A short walk up to Helmsley Walled Garden takes you to the The Vinehouse Café which is an absolute delight. Pop in for pop in for a freshly ground coffee (Dancing Goat, Tockwith) or loose leaf tea in a lovely teapot from Hebden Tea from The Shambles York. The scones are freshly baked each morning and they have a good selection of homemade cakes, granola bars and slices.
The walk towards Helmsley Castle will also take you past some lovely cafés with outside seating areas looking towards Helmsley Castle, these include Cocoa Tree Café, Number Twelve and Cornercopia café. If undecided where is best, go for coffee and cake early on in one followed by lunch later! It would be shame to miss out.
There are many other options available around the square including the Feathers Hotel or Sunday lunch at the Feversham Arms Hotel.
For larger lunches or evening dinner, try authentic Italian cuisine at The Trattoria. The delightfully named Pignut Restaurant is committed to pushing culinary boundaries, this is evident in their innovative food and wine pairings. Guests can expect to savour the unexpected!
Helmsley Brewing Co – Craft Brewery
Local Craft Brewery
Grab a delightful North Yorkshire Moors pint of light ‘Helmsley Honey’, a golden craft ale or smooth citrus ‘Howardian Gold’ at The Helmsley Brew Co. Visitors can even see the brewing process from the bar itself. Beer tours are also available.
Helmsley Recommendations & Special Mentions
Helmsley Castle & Helmsley Walled Garden
Don’t miss out on visiting the Helmsley Walled Garden – Discover vibrant borders, glasshouses and apple orchards in the historic and beautiful gardens. It is a hidden gem and sits alongside the delightful Vinehouse Café. Built in 1759, the garden sits beneath the imposing ruins of Helmsley Castle.
Also, up at the entrance to walled garden is The Bike Doctor, a very helpful and friendly. Julian does repairs, regular maintenance, bike fits and set-ups. He is also very happy to just repair a puncture on all types of bike.
The Cleveland Way National Trail
The town of Helmsley is the start of the Cleveland Way National Trail. A classic 9-day walk, that meanders through the wonderful North York Moors National Park all the way to the coast at Filey. The 109 mile (176km) route meanders through dramatic coastline and heather moorland, whilst offering amazing views of castles, ruined abbeys, ancient stone crosses and fishing villages tucked into tiny coves. It really does have it all! The start point of the Cleveland Way is marked by a large rock, sculpted by the Whitby artist Vivienne Mousdell, near the entrance to the main car park.
Cleveland Way Start Point
Above is a just a selection of shops and places to eat and drink. However, there are many other little highlights to be found in and around the village. These include Duncombe Park, The National Centre for Birds of Prey and Rievaulx Abbey.
Nearby Helmsley
On the way back to Helmsley Hideaway and after getting some provisions or local produce to cook or BBQ back at your holiday home the visit Beadlam Grange Farmshop and Tea Room.
Beadlam Grange is a family-run farm shop and bistro based on the A170 road towards Kirkbymoorside a mile outside or so. They breed their own award-winning Limousin beef cattle and have a passion for providing good, real, honest, tasty, local feel-good food. Included within the farm shop is a butchery, delicatessen, greengrocery and a bistro which is across two floors.
Pretty stream running through Helmsley
Helmsley – Useful Links & More Information:
- The North York Moors – https://www.northyorkmoors.org.uk/places-to-go/helmsley
- Market Towns – https://www.discoveryorkshirecoast.com/whats-nearby/ryedales-market-towns/helmsley/
- Helmsley Castle, Duncombe Park & Fairy Steps Circular Walk
- Great Days Out – Visit Helmsley Castle
- Helmsley Hideaway – Fresh Local Produce, Farm Shops & Regional Yorkshire Food & Drink
Helmsley Walled Garden – Vinehouse Cafe
