12th April 2026 Helmsley
Our next day out is to Helmsley, North Yorkshire, on 12th April! A later than usual trip due to the Easter weekend.
The picturesque small town has a large market square, historic buildings, an interesting range of independent shops and places to eat and drink. The ruins of Helmsley Castle are close to the centre of the town.
Its two great towers and Tudor mansion house are unusual features. Alongside the castle is the Helmsley Walled Garden. It was originally built in 1759 to grow fruit and vegetables for the family owners of the Duncombe Park estate. In the 1990s, it was brought back from a period of decline to become a five-acre therapeutic horticulture garden, which is now a visitor attraction.
More information about Helmsley can be found here.
The area around Helmsley offers the walker a large variety of easy and moderate walks. Explore the area individually or join one of our led walks - information about our led walks is sent out nearer the time.
Tickets for our Helmsley trip are £25 per adult and can be purchased from 8am on 1st March 2026 in the following ways:
Cash or BACS payments on the previous coach: book and pay whilst on the coach
Online payments via Ticket Tailor (booking fee applies): https://www.tickettailor.com/events/northeastlancscoachrambles
Bank Transfer (BACS): To buy a ticket using this method, please email nelcoachrambles@gmail.com or ring Jane (see below) to confirm your seat before you send payment to:
Name: Ramblers Coach Account RCN: 1093577
Sort code: 608301
Account number: 20175067
Telephone bookings: You can ring Jane Cordingley 01254 773913 - 8am-9am and 6pm-8pm, Monday to Friday only - and either pay by BACS or with cash on the coach. Anyone requesting to pay with cash who cancels or is a no-show on the day will still be required to pay for their seat, or they will have to use a different payment method in the future. We book coaches to seat the expected number of travellers, and we cannot change the coach at the last minute!
If Jane is not available, please feel free to text or leave a message with Lynn on 07895760045, and she will get back to you.
Please note: Cheques are no longer accepted as a payment method. Preferred payment methods are BACS or Ticket Tailor.
Buy Tickets for Helmsley
Morning (Outward) Pick-Up Points
These are new times so please arrive at your Pickup Point 10 minutes early and once on board take your seat ASAP, this will ensure a smooth operation. We will constantly review and refine these time as appropriate.
08.00 Darwen Boots
08.05 Darwen Lynwood Avenue
08.15 Blackburn Penny Street
08.25 Rishton B/burn Rd/Station Rd Bus Stop
08.30 Great Harwood Town Gate
08.40 Accrington Victoria Hospital Whalley Rd Bus Stop
08.50 Padiham Town Hall
08.55 Padiham Whitegate
09.00 Burnley Tim Bobbin
09.10 Burnley Bus Station (Croft St)
09.15 Burnley Brennand Street
09.25 Nelson Interchange
09.30 Nelson Walton Lane/Leeds Road
09.35 Colne Bus Station
Details of Walks available on the Day are shown below
A/B Walk Leader: Michael Brooker-Carey
Distance: 8 miles (with an 11-mile option), moderate
We leave the coach at Sutton Bank car park and walk over a footbridge through Hambleton plantation, on to Hambleton House, then through some fields to Cold Kirkby. We then head along the Cleveland Way to Ashberry Farm, taking a short climb up and along a path with good views looking down on Rievaulx Abbey. We continue across Bow Bridge and along the riverbank to Rievaulx, passing Rievaulx Abbey. A short walk on a stretch of road to Whinny Bank Woods leads us to a short climb up through the woods, passing the site of a medieval village of Griff. We then carry on to Griff Lodge House, and a short walk down and then up some steps through the woods. We then head down the edges of fields back to Helmsley with good views of Helmsley Castle.
Option of a walk to the white horse at the beginning of the walk, if time permits - this increases the distance to 11 miles.
Mainly good paths, may be muddy on the day, and just a few stiles and around 400 feet ascent.
C/D Walk Leader: Frank Mason Distance: 6 miles, easy/moderate.
An easy walk with two steady hill climbs. Starting at the car park at Rievaulx Abbey, then heading in a northerly direction along the valley bottom, the route then climbs through Ashberry Woods to reach the minor road, where the Cleveland Way is joined. The Way climbs steadily up through
Quarry Bank Woods to reach Griff Lodge. At this point, we leave the Cleveland Way and take a path through the Duncombe Park Estate through woodland, which opens out onto rolling parkland. After passing the 18th-century house, we walk down the driveway, passing Helmsley Castle before entering the town of Helmsley.