Visiting Helmsley
Helmsley is a medieval market town, popular for its independent shops, cosy cafés, and castle with walled garden. The town has a vibrant atmosphere, with a weekly market every Friday, and there’s plenty to explore during your visit.
Where is Helmsley?
Helmsley is in the North York Moors National Park near the Vale of Pickering, on the River Rye. Helmsley is 14 miles from Thirsk along the A170, and to the north, the B1257 connects the market town with Stokesley.
What to expect
Helmsley is a vibrant market town set in stunning surroundings, with a wealth of independent shops and cafés, local brewery and traditional pubs serving hearty Yorkshire dishes. There is a weekly market in the Square every Friday, where you can browse local produce and clothing. Helmsley is home to one of Yorkshire’s finest historic houses and estates with stunning gardens and parkland, as well as a medieval castle.
Getting to Helmsley
By Bus
Transdev service 31X, shared with East Yorkshire buses, runs Monday to Saturday from York to Kirkbymoorside via Easingwold, Ampleforth and Helmsley. Travelling from the coast, the East Yorkshire 128 runs a daily service every 2 hours including Sunday from Scarborough to Helmsley via Pickering. From May to September, the Moorsbus is a network of local bus services that connects local towns and villages with the North York Moors. You can take the Moorsbus M5 bus from Stokesley to Helmsley via Northallerton and Thirsk, or the M8 bus from Helmsley to Castle Howard via Hovingham.
By Rail
The closest rail station to Helmsley is Thirsk Station, which has good connectivity to York and is on the mainline from London to Edinburgh. The station is 30 minutes’ walk from Thirsk marketplace, where you can take a bus on service 30 until Easingwold where you will then take the 31X service to Helmsley.
By Car
The A170 passes through Helmsley and is the main road from Thirsk to Scarborough via Pickering. Short stay parking is available in the Market Square and a short walk from there is the Long Stay Cleveland Way Car Park.
Where are public toilets?
The public toilets in Helmsley are located on Boro Gate, a pedestrianised street just a few steps from the Market Square.
Car Parks in Helmsley
Cleveland Way Car Park, Helmsley
Located adjacent to Helmsley Castle and the start of the Cleveland Way… Located adjacent to Helmsley Castle and the start of the Cleveland Way National Trail
Market Place Car park, Helmsley
Located in the centre of Helmsley with shops surrounding. Convenient for… Located in the centre of Helmsley with shops surrounding. Convenient for local shops, eateries and nearby attractions.
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