The Velveteen Bath House has been included in The North York Moors ‘Walking Friendly’ Map for 2024. This scheme recognises businesses / accommodation providers offering walkers extra information and facilities for walking in and around the North York Moors.
We love encouraging our guests to get out walking in the stunning countryside in and around Helmsley. Information and suggestions for local walks are detailed in our House Book and comprehensive walking guides are provided in the cottage. There’s also a handy hose at the front of the house to wash down muddy boots (and dogs!) afterwards.
Here’s just a few of our favourite walks in and around Helmsley…
Walks from the doorstep in Helmsley…
As a walking family, we love the fact that Helmsley offers lots of beautiful walks right from the doorstep. So leave the car on the drive, pull on those walking boots and strike out from the door of The Velveteen Bath House…
- The Helmsley Loop
For a pleasant amble we recommend the hour long loop around town, taking you back into Helmsley on the way home. From the house, walk up Ashdale Road crossing at the lights onto Carlton Road. Take the first left onto Carlton Lane, walking along this road past the Health Centre / Primary School until you reach the old graveyard. Follow on to Beckdale Road on the left, following this road a few hundred yards when it turns into farm track. Take the sharp left downhill and across the Beck, leading you back into town. You can extend this loop a little by walking further up Carlton Road taking the easy to spot public footpaths at various points on your left, including into the woodland on the hill above Helmsley. - The Old Railway Line
This lovely off-road walk takes you along the old railway line which once ran from the town towards Pickering. From the house go right on Station Road and follow the path down past Station House and onto the old station platform. (if you go past the Fire Station you’ve gone too far along Station Road!) Take a left and exit onto the new housing estate following the old railway track towards Kirkbymoorside. - Duncombe Park Riverside Walk
This is a lovely walk at any time of the year taking you through the estate and along the River Rye. From the house go left and walk along Station Road and into Ryegate towards town. Go right at Bridge Street walking a few hundred yards until you reach Helmsley Brewing Co. Take a left and you’ll see the Duncombe Park Estate directly ahead. Walk over the cattle grid and take a left down towards the river. You can walk as little or as far as you want, even all the way to Rievaulx Abbey and beyond… - The Cleveland Way
This iconic walking route runs all the way from Helmsley to Filey on the Coast. It’s a very well signposted route, much of it marked out by stone flagstones on the ground. It starts just by the carpark next to Helmsley Castle, just 10 minutes’ walk from the house. Again you can choose to walk for as long or as little as you like along the path. We love the 7-mile circular route along the Cleveland Way, past Rievaulx Abbey and back into town across farmland: https://www.northyorkmoors.org.uk/visiting/enjoy-outdoors/walking/our-walks/walking-routes/helmsley-and-rievaulx-abbey
Walks in the North York Moors
- Sutton Bank
There are several lovely trails to follow from Sutton Bank’s Visitor Centre, taking in some magnificent views from the escarpment. One of the most popular routes is the 2-mile linear walk across the top of the White Horse Monument and back: https://www.northyorkmoors.org.uk/visiting/enjoy-outdoors/walking/our-walks/walking-routes/sutton-bank-and-the-white-horse - Hutton Le Hole to Lastingham Circular
Just a short drive from Helmsley, this lovely 4-mile walk takes in two of the Moors prettiest villages and is utterly charming. Taking you through open fields, country lanes and moorland tracks it offers stunning sweeping views from the Spaunton escarpment. Reward yourself at the finish line with lunch at The Crown. https://www.northyorkmoors.org.uk/visiting/enjoy-outdoors/walking/our-walks/walking-routes/hutton-le-hole-and-lastingham - Thornton Le Dale to Ellerburn
A favourite of ours, the village of Thornton Le Dale is said by some to be the prettiest in the National Park. It’s worth a visit on its own merit, but if you want to stretch your legs too try the picturesque walk to the hamlet of Ellerburn and back. At just 2 miles, it’s a relatively easy circular route taking you along the riverside woodland: https://www.northyorkmoors.org.uk/visiting/enjoy-outdoors/walking/our-walks/walking-routes/thornton-le-dale-and-ellerburn - Dalby Forest
Just a few miles North of Thornton Le Dale, Dalby Forest offers miles of walking routes across its 8000 acres of forest. There are walks to suit everyone from families with young kids to serious hikers. All of the walks are waymarked and colour coded allowing you to easily find your route: https://www.forestryengland.uk/sites/default/files/documents/Dalby%20walking%20trails%20-%20website%20-%20Feb%2022.pdf
Plan your next walking adventure in Helmsley!
We’d love to welcome you to The Velveteen Bath House on your next walking adventure in Yorkshire.
For lots more inspiration as well as downloadable printed guides, take a look at the dedicated section on the North York Moors National Park website here