Posted:  Saturday 21 June 2008

North East Associates head south to Helmsley

Wednesday 18th June, 2008

Helmsley, an unspoilt market town - some say a village - is situated on the southern edge of the North York Moors, just within the National Park of the same name.  Ninety-four of us ascended to the town mid-morning, ascended being appropriate as to get there we had to negotiate notorious Sutton Bank – an arduous and long one-in-four climb up from the Vale of York.  The views over the surrounding countryside were very rewarding and we had plenty time to look, sitting back as our two drivers did all the work!

In the seventeenth century Helmsley was renowned as a weaving centre and noted for the rumbustious behaviour of the associated tradesmen!  These days normally a quiet place this changed today when the NE Associates arrived, being intent on a good day out.

A castle dating from around 1200 dominates the skyline but this suffered during the Civil War at the hands of the Parliamentarians who rendered most of it “beyond further use” in its original intent and it has remained in ruins ever since.

Helmsley Castle from the Walled Garden

Part of the castle survived and this was used as a residence, a walled garden being added in the mid eighteenth century. Today the garden operates as a charity, having been restored and now needing lots of time from staff and volunteers to maintain it.

Most visited the castle and the garden in the morning before lunching in the town.  The Feathers Inn and The Crown were popular, the latter being an intact Jacobean building with eight or nine small lounges, all linked by wandering passages and accessed through low doorways.

Restored, though, is nearby Duncombe Park which is now the residence of Lord Feversham, a descendent of the Duncombe family who built it.  We spent the afternoon here, having being brought in style by coach to the main entrance of the hall.

The impressive rear view

This Baroque mansion has been the family seat since it was built in 1713, apart from a break in the last century when it became a hospital in 1915 and later a school for girls.  Prior to this a fire in the mid 1800’s had destroyed much of the interior so repairs were made and some extension work done.

A five year restoration project started in 1985 when the park was bought, and the house occupied, by the present Lord Feversham, the school moving to larger and more suitable premises in the area.

Considerable work has also been done, and is continuing, in the attractive gardens and park, part of which has SSI status.

A meeting in the temple. Scary!

Two sittings for high tea were necessary so the coach groups took it in turn to view the house & garden and enjoy the excellent food – tasty sandwiches, fresh scones with jam & cream - and cake!

Come on then, take the picture - we all want to eat!

Race you to the bus!

Rain had been forecast for the whole day but apart from a couple of showers it held off until after we had descended Sutton Bank and were well on our way home.

ph  20/06/2008

pictures:  ph

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