Yorkshire


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why">WHY?</h2>



<p>The North Yorkshire Moor&#8217;s only market town, Helmsley (located between Thirsk and Pickering) is a location that delivers a history lesson stretching from the Stone Age (3000BC) to the modern day with the Vikings in between. What is lacks in transport links it makes up for in charm, dramatic countryside, destination dining<strong>, </strong>scrupulously scrubbed 18th-century cottages, award-winning indie shopping and a Norman castle.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">EAT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Screenshot-2023-10-23-at-11.51.31.png" alt="Michelin star dish at The Black Swan in Oldstead " class="wp-image-80148" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A Michelin-star dish at The Black Swan </figcaption></figure>



<p>So many tea rooms, so little time. If you move here: you’ll need a will of iron, blinkers or Couch to 5K to cope with the tea shops and bakers, delis and grocers, selling sucrose in various forms: pickles, jams, chutneys, chocs, fudge, treacle, Yorkshire curd tarts, mint choc chips. Muddy would be a regular at dog-friendly <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thecocoatree66/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Cocoa </a><a href="http://www.becktearoom.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tree</a>, run by a local family and serving cream teas to die for. The stand-out restaurant in town is the <a href="https://www.fevershamarmshotel.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Feversham Arms</a>, where Wordsworth once stayed and now you can tuck into six divine courses for £60 (paired wine flights cost £40).</p>



<p>On a sunny day locals favour the beer garden at <a href="https://www.helmsleybrewingco.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Helmsley Brewing Co.&#8217;s Taproom</a>, a stripped-back microbrewery and pub, for a drink and chat. There are plenty of cosy coaching inns in town serving delicious comfort food, such as the <a href="https://feathershotelhelmsley.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Feathers</a> and the <a href="https://www.inncollectiongroup.com/the-black-swan/restaurant/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Black Swan</a>. Ten miles down the road is the <a href="https://www.abbeyinnbyland.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Abbey Inn at Byland</a>, chef Tommy Banks&#8217;s new gastropub with rooms which is within walking distance of his Michelin star restaurant <a href="https://www.blackswanoldstead.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Black Swan</a> at Oldstead. Not forgetting the Michelin star-studded <a href="http://thestaratharome.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Star Inn</a> and <a href="https://www.thepheasanthotel.com/restaurant/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pheasant</a> at Harm. It&#8217;s a foodie paradise.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">SHOP</h2>



<p>A previous winner of best market town in the Great British High Street Awards, Hemsley&#8217;s definitely punching above its weight on the shopping front. For a one-stop shop you can&#8217;t beat <a href="https://www.thomasthebaker.co.uk/deli-and-butchers.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Thomas of Helmsley</a>, an organic butcher, baker and (no, not a candlestick maker) a delicatessen. There&#8217;s also a sweetshop and bookshop, as well as outlets for antiques, so you can get pretty much everything you need — good job, because York is an hour away by car.</p>



<p>Helmsley&#8217;s renowned for its interesting independent boutique shops, cute tea rooms, pubs, cafes,  but there&#8217;s also an attractive arts and crafts side to the town, think galleries (<a href="https://www.saltboxgallery.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Salt Box Gallery</a> is a must-visit) and interior design studios. Even if you’re not a big shopper, browsing in the historic buildings they&#8217;re based in is a treat. Another bonus is the weekly Friday market – a tradition that allegedly dates back to the 13th Century.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-amp-wellbeing">HEALTH &amp; WELLBEING</h2>



<p>Spa membership at the fabby&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fevershamarmshotel.com/">Feversham Arms Hotel &amp; Verbena Spa</a>&nbsp;with its outdoor steamy swimming pool, heavenly treatments and wellness classes is the hottest health ticket in town. But everyone’s welcome to make a splash in the public&nbsp;<a href="https://www.helmsleyopenairpool.org/">Helmsley open air swimming pool</a>, too, for daytime dips, Full Moon or Meteor Shower swims, yoga, aqua fitness and triathlons. Memberships also available at the rural&nbsp;<a href="https://www.yorkshire-spa-retreat.co.uk/spa-memberships">Yorkshire Spa Retrea</a>t with its cool wild swim pond, pilates classes and Himalayan Salt Sauna or&nbsp;<a href="https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/HelmsleyTennisClub">Helmsley Tennis Club</a>&nbsp;by the recreation ground. Lots of walking, of course, on the glorious North York Moors as well as cycling, horse-riding and other muddy-loving outdoor sports.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community">COMMUNITY</h2>



<p>So friendly and small enough to know who lives where, this town loves helping each other out. If you enjoy watching and assisting world-class entertainment (and who doesn’t?), then join the willing volunteers at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.helmsleyarts.co.uk/get-involved/volunteer">Helmsley Arts Centre</a>. For those keen to dive in with everything from cake baking to lifeguard duty, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.helmsleyopenairpool.org/volunteer/">Lido</a>&nbsp;also welcomes support.&nbsp;<a href="https://helmsleywalledgarden.org.uk/">Helmsley Walled Garden</a>&nbsp;with veg patch and orchard is the apple of everyone’s eye, nurturing nature and those who get stuck in while the community library is always on the hunt for IT buddies or home lending service helpers. Find out more&nbsp;<a href="https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/community-and-volunteering/volunteering">here</a>&nbsp;and don’t miss market day every Friday, or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ryedaleshow.co.uk/">Ryedale Show</a>, excitingly returning to Duncombe Park after 60 years on the last Tuesday of July.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nearby-attractions">NEARBY ATTRACTIONS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Screenshot-2023-10-23-at-11.53.43.png" alt="" class="wp-image-80150" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Helmsley Castle </figcaption></figure>



<p>Get used to your new surroundings on the <a href="http://www.visithelmsley.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Visit-Ryedale-Helmsley-Discovery-Trail.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Helmsley Discovery Trail,</a> a 2K scenic stroll taking in key sites like the town&#8217;s 900-year-old medieval <a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/helmsley-castle/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Castle</a>, five-acre <a href="https://helmsleywalledgarden.org.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Helmsley Walled Garden</a> and snaking River Rye. <a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/rievaulx-abbey/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rievaulx Abbey</a>, the first Cistercian abbey in the north of England, is a serene place to while away an afternoon and a short walk from the castle. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-culture">CULTURE</h2>



<p>Hit up thriving <a href="https://www.helmsleyarts.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Helmsley Arts Centre</a> for all your cinema, theatre, workshops, pantomime and live music needs. For an art fix, check out <a href="http://www.lookgallery.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Look Gallery</a> on Castlegate, and the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.sissonsgallery.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sissons Gallery</a> in the Market Place. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">AVERAGE HOUSE PRICE</h2>



<p>Average house prices have been £417,457 over the last year. Lots of detached properties, costing around £466,667 with semi-detached homes costing £386,800 and terraced houses at £527,188.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">HOT PROPERTY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://search.savills.com/property-detail/gbyorsyos230326"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1006" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/12/1500-x-1000-Helmsley-Savills_3-12-2024_151057_search.savills.com_.jpg" alt="Helmsley property for sale Savills" class="wp-image-1410" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/12/1500-x-1000-Helmsley-Savills_3-12-2024_151057_search.savills.com_.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/12/1500-x-1000-Helmsley-Savills_3-12-2024_151057_search.savills.com_-300x201.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/12/1500-x-1000-Helmsley-Savills_3-12-2024_151057_search.savills.com_-1024x687.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/12/1500-x-1000-Helmsley-Savills_3-12-2024_151057_search.savills.com_-768x515.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A contemporary stone-built five bedroom house with double garage and off-street parking as well as a spacious and flexible layout. <a href="https://search.savills.com/property-detail/gbyorsyos230326" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">On the market for £649,950</a>.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nurseries">NURSERIES</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.littleyearsnursery.co.uk/our-nurseries" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Little Years Nursery</a> on Carlton Lane lies near the local primary school, takes children from a few months old, provides holiday and after school care for kids aged up to 11 and has a lovely little garden and colourful rooms. If you can&#8217;t get a place, there&#8217;s another branch five miles away in Kirbymoorside. <br></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-schools">SCHOOLS</h2>



<p>There are some excellent schools. <a href="https://www.helmsley-rlt.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Helmsley Community Primary School</a> is rated Ofsted Good, while <a href="https://www.ryedale-rlt.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ryedale</a>&nbsp;is an outstanding local comprehensive for older years (it regularly makes lists of England&#8217;s top secondary schools). Five miles away, boarding and day school <a href="https://www.ampleforthcollege.org.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ampleforth College</a> is one of the UK’s top independents and takes children from junior school (11 years) through to 18. If you&#8217;re prepared to travel a bit further afield, <a href="http://www.terringtonhall.com">Terrington Hall Prep</a> to the south and <a href="https://www.yarmschool.org">Yarm School</a> – an excellent prep 30 mins further north – are good choices. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-kept-secret">BEST KEPT SECRET</h2>



<p>Its grisly past. The discovery of four 2,000 year old skeletons in Windy Pit caves was investigated but the BBC Two programme <em>History Cold Case</em> in 2011. The result? At least one had been the victim of a ritual killing, including scalping.<sup><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helmsley#cite_note-9"> </a>Yikes!</sup></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-commute">COMMUTE</h2>



<p>You&#8217;ll need a car! Public transport is very patchy, but soak up those daily scenic drives with views of the North Yorkshire Moors. There&#8217;s a limited bus service running to and from Scarborough Station and Helmsley&#8217;s Market Square (No.31X). For York, jump on the No31X which run twice a day and take 1hr 10mins. The nearest mainline train station is 25 mins away at Thirsk and will chug you into London&#8217;s King Cross in 2hrs 45mins (more often the not you have to change at York or Northallerton).  </p>



<p><em>View the full&nbsp;<a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live/">Top 300 Best Places to Live</a>.</em></p>


Helmsley

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