Four Fabulous Ryedale Days Out
Four fabulous ways to enjoy a day out in the Ryedale area - whatever the British weather has in store!
Because our team are based locally, we have a wealth of knowledge and experience of living in this beautiful part of the country. Pickering, Thornton le Dale, Kirkbymoorside, Helmsley – just some of the places which are packed with interest in Ryedale. Here’s four fabulous places to explore in Ryedale, with an older friend or loved one.
Dalby Forest
Whether you are looking for an active and adventurous day out or a more relaxed way to spend a few hours, there are treats galore to be found.
Dalby Forest, set in the heart of the North Yorkshire Moors, offers many activities: a forest drive (if you’re lucky you may spot a deer or an elusive badger!), planned leisurely walks to take in the beautiful scenery, a large indoor and outdoor cafe serving a great variety of refreshments and meals, pretty picnic areas – even a daring zip-wire and treetop walk attraction if you’re feeling adventurous!
Pickering
The busy market town of Pickering offers a wealth of activities for you to enjoy. It has a Norman Castle built under William the Conqueror which is open to the public; the steam railway operates all year round, travelling to Grosmont and Goathland (home of TV’s much-loved ‘Heartbeat’); there are antiques and curios a-plenty in the collectors’ market in the Market Place, which holds a popular market every Monday.
Food from just about every corner of the world is available in Pickering too: Indian, Cantonese and Italian restaurants as well as a superb range of cafés and tearooms serving delicious meals – there is even a wine and cocktail bar!
Thornton le Dale
Situated just a few miles east of Pickering this village is a beauty spot with lots of lovely things to see – the famous Thatched Cottage is just one of many unspoilt cottages you will see if you take a stroll up Brook Lane, Priestman’s Lane and walk alongside the Thornton Beck. Take your time to enjoy the beautiful views and the carefully tended gardens. Stop off at Balderson’s Café for some of their delicious homemade treats or maybe just an ice cream – that’s homemade too!
There are a good variety of shops in Thornton le Dale selling everything from on and off road bikes, hand-crafted artisan chocolates, ladies clothing, jewellery, unique artwork, antiques and collectibles, plus much more! If classic cars are your thing, you will be delighted to see a great range of rare and vintage automobiles at Mathewson’s showroom on the Pickering Road. You can get up close to the authentic old bangers which were featured in TV’s ‘Bangers and Cash’!
Helmsley
Heading west from Thornton le Dale and Pickering is the Market Town of Helmsley. The town is associated with the Earls of Feversham, whose ancestral home Duncombe Park was built overlooking Helmsley Castle which is open to the public and is a great way to see the history of this lovely town. Offering a busy market every Friday, the town’s square has a statue of William Duncombe, 2nd Baron Feversham.
Whether you are interested in fine foods and wines, you appreciate fine art, enjoy perusing bookstores or even hunting down bargains in the charity shops, you are certain to enjoy your day out in Helmsley. After a leisurely ponder through the – sometimes cobbled – streets, taking in the many unique boutique-style shops, you may be ready for a delicious meal. Take your pick from the nearby pubs, as all serve high quality meals freshly cooked with locally-sourced ingredients. Most parts of this lovely little town is wheelchair accessible and there is ample parking close by to all amenities.
“I love a good day out in Helmsley. I love everything about it: the drive there with the lovely scenery, the fantastic views as we drive down into the Vale of Pickering and of course all the places to shop! I love picking up things I can’t get anywhere else and Hunter’s, with their handmade chocolates is my favourite deli in the whole of this area!” – Mrs Speight, Scarborough and Ryedale Home Instead
As you can see there is so much to see and do in Ryedale! Whether you’re just visiting for the afternoon or spending a full day in any of these fabulous places, you’re certain to have a great time as Ryedale is packed with history, beautiful countryside and unspoilt olde worlde towns and villages.
But don’t just take our word for it – get out there and see it for yourself, we guarantee you will love it!