Duncombe Park Walking Trail

Starting from the statue of William Feversham in Helmsley Market Place, turn towards the Town Hall and walk down the road on the left between the town hall and The Royal Oak Public House towards Castlegate.

At Castlegate turn left and walk to the end with Boro Beck on your left hand side. Turn right onto Buckingham Square.

Follow Buckingham Square to Duncombe Park’s Gatehouse and Gates. Helmsley Castle can be found on your right hand side.

Follow the drive through Duncombe Park over the cattle grid (using the pedestrian gate at the left side) and beside the castle on your right. Keep following this drive until you come to a public right of way with a barrier.

When you arrive at the turn off for the public right of way found on the left, follow this path downhill into a wooded area. The drive will now be on your right hand side.

As you follow the path, go through two farmers gates with the River Rye on your left. This takes you towards a grassy heath.

Walk across the heath until you reach the other side. Here you will find a kissing gate. If you have a dog with you, ensure that he or she is on a short lead as there are often sheep grazing.

Follow the River Rye until you reach a weir across the river. You will find a bench facing it. Keep following the route around to the right through a valley.

Do not cross the weir when it's dry but instead follow the path route as it bends to the right until you reach a kissing gate. Please be mindful of any sheep in the area. Go through the kissing gate.

As you go through the kissing gate, you will notice that the path now turns to a track. Keep following this track until you reach a bench on your right with Simon on it.

When you reach the ‘Simon Seat’, you will come to a junction with the option to turn left towards a stone bridge over the Rye or turn right to continue along the valley. Turn right and follow the track through the valley that will eventually head up hill into the woodland.

When the track enters the wood, walk uphill until you reach a small bench on your left. The road u-turns further up the hill until you reach a junction.

When you reach the junction, you can either head straight on for a shorter walk, or turn left to extend your walk into the wood. Both routes take you to the Georgian English House and beyond to Helmsley.

Assuming you turn left to extend your walk, follow the track through Fergus O’Connell Street until you reach a junction with a triangular grass island.

At the junction with a triangular grass island, turn right so that you are almost double-backing on yourself. This track takes you the stately home.

Following this track will take you to a gate that opens out into a large meadow. You will see the Georgian Country House in front of you and the National Centre for Birds of Prey on your left.

When you arrive at the house, turn either left to go straight to Helmsley. Otherwise turn right to go back the way you came in order to extend your walk.

Assuming you have turned left to go directly back to Helmsley, follow Duncombe Drive past the National Centre for Birds of Prey that is found on your left.

On your right you will see the Ionic Temple. You will also walk through some black iron gates.

As you follow the drive downhill you will eventually discover the turn off for the public right of way you followed earlier. Keep walking down the drive for Duncombe Park until you reach Helmsley.