Helmsley has been a bustling market town since 1191 and is the only market town in the North York Moors National Park. The old market cross can still be found on its stepped base in the market square. Around the square you will see the traditional buildings with their sturdy rubble stone walls, orange pantile roofs and pretty floral displays that give Helmsley its reassuring air. Market day nowadays falls on a Friday and Helmsley has a charming collection of small independent shops selling anything from bespoke clothing to amazing pork pies and ice cream. Not to mention a well-stocked Tourist Information Centre where you can browse for books, brochures and maps. Helmsley also boasts a castle of some 900 years www.english-heritage.org.uk, and its history is explained in fabulous detail within the castle grounds. Helmsley has many other fascinating attractions too including the Helmsley Walled Gardens, the National Centre for Birds of Prey and the Helmsley Arts Centre. Learn more by having a look at ‘Visit Helmsley’ (https://www.visithelmsley.co.uk/)

Rievaulx Abbey and Byland Abbey are both within walking distance and it is from Helmsley that the Cleveland Way begins. If you’re walking the Cleveland Way, you follow the acorn way-markers up Castlegate to gain an excellent view of the castle standing head and shoulders above the little town, before descending into Ryedale and the atmospheric ruins of Rievaulx Abbey.