Helmsley, a Yorkshire market town, has been hailed 'a breath of fresh air' by Visit North Yorkshire and previously won the Great British High Street Awards' best market town category. It is described as 'somewhere everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime'.
Scenic walks and a historic castle
The town offers numerous scenic walks and cycling routes through the North York Moors National Park. It also has its own castle, boasting impressive stonework defences, including the striking east tower that still dominates Helmsley's skyline.
Independent shops and cafes
Visitors can enjoy a relaxing wander around the many shops and grab a bite to eat. The pretty Number Twelve tearoom, in the shadow of the castle in the town's Castlegate, is a popular spot, offering a full English breakfast, breakfast sandwiches, homemade pies, toasted ciabattas and more. It has plenty of indoor and outdoor seating and is dog-friendly.
The town is known for its independent shops, with a picturesque market square that hosts a regular market and is a popular meeting point for motorcyclists. Streets lined with stone buildings and beautiful floral displays run off the square.
Local delicacies and attractions
Hunters of Helmsley, a family business selling food and drink for 30 years, always looks stunning and regularly has people stopping off outside to take photographs of the shop front. Other shops include the Traditional Sweet Shop and The Ginger Bear, which sells gifts and accessories and has little tin men guarding the front.
Bakers and delicatessens are plentiful, including Auntie Anne's Bakery, which attracts customers from miles around wanting to sample its speciality steak pies. Promising 'home baking the Yorkshire way', sweeter treats include handmade custard tarts, chocolate tiffin, triple chocolate shortbread, and ginger biscuits.
More to explore
Visitors can also tour the castle, take beer tours at the local craft brewery Helmsley Brewing Co, or visit Beadlam Grange Farm Shop, which has its own butchery, delicatessen, greengrocery, a two-floor bistro, a dog-friendly seating area, and a toddler play area in its undercover fold yard.
According to Visit North Yorkshire, picturesque Helmsley 'has so much going on' that 'if you go once, you are likely to go back time and time again'. Helmsley is located at the point where Ryedale leaves the moorland and joins the flat Vale of Pickering. Long stay parking can be found at Cleveland Way Car Park, YO62 5AZ.
