Route: Duncombe Park
Area: North Yorkshire
Date of walk: 6th June 2015
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 6.1 miles
Weather: Cloudy with sunny intervals, very windy
We parked in the centre of Helmsley and walked to the gates of Duncombe Park on the edge of the town
The park is one of Yorkshire’s most historic estates and boasts over 450 acres of spectacular gardens, parklands and nature reserve. Although the house itself is closed to the public the surrounding parkland is open to visitors (though it’s best to check the website in case it’s closed for a private event)
After walking past the house we followed a waymarked route through the rolling parkland and then into woodland. An easy track took us through the woods with occasional glimpses back to the house
We eventually descended through Park Hill Wood down to the banks of the River Rye and followed the river back to the park gates – this was a beautiful section of the walk. We then wandered back to the start through the streets of Helmsley
Click on the icon below for the route map (subscribers to OS Maps can view detailed maps of the route, visualise it in aerial 3D, and download the GPX file. Non-subscribers will see a base map)
Scroll down – or click on any photo to enlarge it and you can then view as a slideshow
Before we set off, a baby coal tit in the garden
Thanks mum
Later that day, walking through the beautiful market town of Helmsley
We pass by the town square
Entrance to Duncombe Park
Helmsley Castle
The estate road to Duncombe House
Looking back to Helmsley
Duncombe House
We follow the waymarked Country Walk
Looking back to Duncombe House as we walk through the parkland
Entering Black Howl Wood
We follow a succession of easy tracks through the woods
Duncombe House again
We emerge from Park Hill Wood at the start of the waymarked River Walk
This section of the walk follows the course of the River Rye
Looking up to the Doric Temple
A lovely section of the walk follows, with Terrace Bank Wood on our left and the River Rye on the right…
The Ionic Temple
Temple Bank Wood
The River Rye
The circuit is almost complete as Helmsley Castle comes into view again
Back in Helmsley
