A Day of History and Natural Beauty in Helmsley, England

Exploring North Yorkshire

Just outside of York, England, it's possible to escape from bigger city life and retreat into the natural beauty and history of the North York Moors National Park, the smallest of the national parks in England.

When to Go

According to the North York Moors National Park website, the area is the most beautiful in August and September. If you can wait it out and go in September, you may be able to avoid the larger crowds, as schools will be back in session. In addition, if England is going to have an "autumn" this would be the time for it, and you may be able to see trees changing colors and enhancing the already beautiful landscape

Save Money

Three of the most beautiful sites in the Helmsley area are all part of England's English Heritage Foundation. By joining you are able to enter all three sites for free, and keep that membership for other explorations during your stay in the UK.

Rievaulx Abbey

This historic abbey is one of the most famous, most complete, and in its time, one of the wealthiest in England, according to English Heritage. Destroyed on order from Henry VIII, you can explore the ruins of the abbey and appreciate the massive structure it must have been in it's time. A small café is also located on the premises, making it a nice first stop on your journey. If you have time, you can also visit Rievaulx Temples and Terrace above the site, where you can view the structure in its entirety.

Helmsley Castle

Helmsley Castle is also another impressive historic site to visit in the Helmsley area. Located only a few miles a way by car or by foot from Rievaulx Abbey, Helmsley Castle includes a tower with stairs, a mansion to walk through, and beautiful grounds overlooking the town. Helmsley Castle is also surrounded by ditches and bridges, which add to its beauty and allow the visitor to ponder more of what the time period (12-13^th centuries) may have been like.

Byland Abbey