Yorkshire Heritage

Active Heritage Cycle Routes

Helmsley Castle - Rievaulx Abbey - Byland Abbey

(Approx. 24km / 15 miles)

From Helmsley Castle, follow the main B1257 route out of Helmsley.  As you get to the top of the hill, leaving the castle on the left behind you, the road starts to level out, and there is a left turn onto a minor route signposted to Scawton.  Follow this down hill until you come to Rievaulx bridge.  At the bridge, take a short detour right, and just a few hundred yards further on, you'll see the majestic ruins of Rievaulx Abbey - a great first stop-off where you can enjoy a cool drink and snack.

Leaving Rievaulx Abbey, head back to the bridge, and turn right, continuing towards Scawton.   After a few hundred metres, just after Ashberry Farm, turn onto a bridlepath (please give way to horses), which takes you south, past Scawton Croft and over Scawton Moor, with its Red Deer Park.

The bridlepath crosses the A170, continuing into the Blyand Moor Plantation at Wass Moor.  The path eventually joins Wass Bank Road, taking you down the steep incline of Wass Bank and into Wass village (at the bottom of the hill, give way as you go straight across the junction).  Follow the road for about half a mile and you will come to the impressive Byland Abbey site.  You can park your cycle safely at the neighbouring Abbey Inn and enjoy a cool drink in cosy surroundings before looking around the Abbey site itself.

Leaving Byland Abbey, return to Wass village, this time turning right onto the road towards Oswaldkirk.  Follow this road for some time, passing through the villages of Ampleforth and past Ampleforth Abbey, and through Oswaldkirk.  Continue along the road a few hundred yards after Oswaldkirk, before turning left onto the road towards Harome.

When you reach Harome village, turn left at the church and then left again, following the  signs back to Helmsley.  You will eventually rejoin the A170 east of Helmsley, onto which you turn left, heading back into the town, and following the signs to the long-stay parking and Helmsley Castle, to complete your tour.