Yorkshire Heritage

Heritage Trails

Helmsley Castle to Rievaulx Abbey
Distance: 3 ½ miles
Look out for: Wildlife, including curlews

Follow in the footsteps of centuries of pilgrims, with this pleasant woodland walk from Helmsley to Rievaulx Abbey. The trail takes walkers along one of the most historic track ways in the land, with picturesque views and fascinating place names along the way.

The walk from Helmsley Castle to Rievaulx Abbey is clearly signposted along the Cleveland Way and the Moors bus will bring you back to Helmsley when you're finished.

Begin your walk with a visit to Helmsley Castle, home of Walter de Espec, who founded both Rievaulx Abbey and Kirkham Priory. Tour the spectacular banks and ditches and the impressive ruins of this medieval castle.

Leaving Helmsley and heading west, this walk follows woodland paths and covers centuries of history in under two hours. The heritage of this area is ever present on the trail, from the land where the monks' Grange once stood, to the rusty remains of World War II tanks.

You'll also pass the site from which the stone for the abbey was quarried and cross over the long drive that leads from the stately Duncombe Park to the terraces at Rievaulx Abbey.

Another less well-known legacy is also apparent on this landscape: that of the heavy iron industry which saw the refectory at Rievaulx Abbey used as a charcoal warehouse. Look out for the humps and bumps en-route, which are in fact old slag mounds.

The walk finishes at Rievaulx Abbey, founded in the 12th-century and described by its third abbot in blissful terms: 'Everywhere peace, everywhere serenity, and a marvellous freedom from the tumult of the world.' Take a stroll around the awe-inspiring ruins and enjoy a well-earned break in the tearooms, which serves a range of tasty Yorkshire produce.

To return to Helmsley, you can either retrace your steps, or use the Moors Bus service which will take you right back into the heart of Helmsley.