Helmsley: the historic heart of Yorkshire's North York Moors
For such a small market town like Helmsley, you would think that you would be lucky to find a small pub, but Helmsley really has so many fun, beautiful and typically English things! With a little bit of good planning, you can easily spend a whole day here with all kinds of things.
Helmsley is a picturesque town in the west of the North York Moors, known for the medieval Helmsley Castle. It has a lively market place and those typical English alleys and bridges. Other attractions include the Duncombe Park estate and the beautiful Helmsley Walled Garden.
You can find more tips and attractions in the North York Moors here.
Legend has it that this market has existed since the thirteenth century. Fortunately, the offer has been given a major update, and it really is a wonderful market to walk through and accidentally buy much more than you actually needed. It is teeming with local products, lots of handmade art and trinkets and those nice jars of odds and ends that you don't find in the supermarket. There is also a craft market in the town hall, a treasure trove with the nicest gadgets.
Make sure you plan well: the market is only on Fridays!
Photo credits @kitavanslooten
A little outside the center (but Helmsley is small, so you won't feel it) you will find Helmsley Brewing Company, which claims to have the sunniest beer garden in the village, and we are happy to believe that. Especially if you have one of their ales or bitters in your hand. In the shop you can take some beer home with you, and if you really want to know everything about the Helmsley Brewery, you can book tours in the summer (May to August). We always order here (as the first pint, it never stops at just one) the Yorkshire legend, a very nice and accessible bitter. Sometimes they also have homemade pizzas on weekends, so that's a nice bonus if you happen to be there.
Less than a two-minute walk from the brewery you will find Hunters of Helmsley, a very good deli that has been run by the same family for thirty years. A range of award-winning cheeses and meats, filled pies and pastries, as well as sandwiches and fresh salads. And if you want to get some local jam or chutney to take home, then you've come to the right place. If we would like to recommend something, it is the goose pate with chestnut. Or the St. Clement's Curd, which you will want to take home in liter jars.
The Vine House Cafe is located at the Walled Garden and is worth a visit in itself. Brother and sister Mollie and Sam are at the helm of the cafe, and try to cook as much as possible with things from the garden. Fresh dishes, just a little different, but not too much fuss. This has proven to be a winning formula, with the café being voted winner of Visit England's Visitor Experience Award in Yorkshire in the food and drink category.
Think of a feta and green bean frittata, or Yorkshire ham and aged cheddar melts with lots of onion marmalade or lamb loin with flatbread and muntraita. In the winter, the menu features hearty dishes, such as a good ol' English pie.
A boho vibes flower picking garden on the outskirts of Helmsley. They are open from 10:00 AM to 17:00 PM during the picking season, but be sure to keep the... instagram Keep an eye out for the most up to date times. After picking flowers you can enjoy delicious pizza on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, which is great!
There are more than 30 different types of wildflowers to pick. Fill a jam jar with as many flowers as you want. At the checkout they will be nicely wrapped for you to take home.
In the fall you can also come and pick pumpkins.
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