Helmsley, North Yorkshire. Sunday, 19th July 2026

'A' Walk - Leaders - Jackie & Catherine. Distance -10.5 miles. Ascent - 1000ft. Grade - Moderate.

This walk has something for everyone. A castle, a stately home and an abbey. On leaving the car park we follow the path sign posted the Cleveland Way. We eventually reach a woods where we descend some steep steps, only to repeat the exercise climbing steep steps out of the valley.

When we emerge from the woods we reach a minor road, which leads to a stone bridge. This is probably where we will have a coffee stop. Ignoring the sign for Rievaulx we follow the sign for Byland. At Ashberry Farm we take a path that climbs steeply and runs parallel to the abbey. Eventually the path descends and we cross a field to Bow Bridge, at this point we cross a stile into a field with the river on our right

This brings us to Rievaulx, where there are toilets and time for a water stop, before making the very steep climb, initially on the road and then through the woods. On reaching Rievaulx Terrace we will stop for lunch.

We walk down the driveway to reach the main road B1257 . At this point we turn right and follow a track beside a hedge. We follow a wide track to Griff Farm, where we cross fields until we reach Griff Lodge. At this point we continue on a wide metalled path to Duncombe Park a 18th century privately owned stately home. We pass in front of this impressive house, continuing down the path where we get excellent views of Helmsley Castle and into Helmsley where the walk finishes. There are numerous cafes and pubs for refreshments in and around the market square.

'B' Walk -Leader - Peter Gravestock. Dist.- 8 miles. Asc.- 800 ft. Grade - Moderate.

The 'B' walk is a shorter version of the 'A' walk and with the same highlights.

We also follow the Cleveland Way initially, descending and ascending the steep steps to reach Cliffe Lodge where we will have our morning stop. We then turn right to cross fields and tracks uphill before turning left down the driveway to Rievaulx Abbey, where we will have lunch. There are not many places to sit, but we do have access to the café and toilets.

After lunch we follow the road and then head uphill back to Cliffe Lodge. Here we turn right and take the same route as the A walk through Duncombe Park back to Helmsley.

'C' Walk - Leaders - Colin & Andy. Distance - 5 miles. Asc - 535ft. Grade - Mod. Anticlockwise

Today’s walk takes us to the lovely market town of Helmsley.

We begin by taking a short walk from the coach park to the Cornercopia Cafe where we are booked in for our usual fare.
Leaving here we head back to to the carpark and join the Cleveland Way. We take this for about a mile and a half until we reach Griff Lodge. Nearly all the ascent is on this first part of the walk and is mainly a gradual incline, though there is a short flight of steps down and another flight up.
As usual we will take this slowly and carefully, though there is a handrail.

Turning sharply south east at Griff Lodge, the rest of the walk is either flat or downhill.
We take a wide metalled path through Spring Bank wood and Park wood, all the time skirting Duncome Park.

The final part of the walk over fields and by the River Rye, with views of the Castle and Tuscan Temple, is very scenic.

We then return to Helmsley with its many cafés, pubs and shops for you to enjoy.

There are no stiles - just a few kissing gates.

A walking pole would be useful for the first part of the walk.

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