Ryedale Group - Helmsley

A circular walk starting from the Market Cross in Helmsley from where we enter the grounds of Duncombe Park and follow the river with views of both the Ionic and Tuscan Temples.  Soon after Mill Bridge, a short walk through Park Hill Wood brings us close to Duncombe Park Mansion before we take another path that brings us out at Griff Lodge, at which point we join the Cleveland Way.  After a drinks stop we continue through Whinny Bank Wood to a minor road leading to Rievaulx Bridge from where we head north towards the magnificent Rievaulx Abbey founded by the Cistercians in 1131 (where there are public toilets).  

We follow the road up through the village to a point where we join a steep, permissive, path up to Rievaulx Terrace where we will stop for lunch.  After lunch, on reaching the main Helmslet/Stokesley road, a short walk along a path parallel to the road takes us to High Ash Plantation where we head south back to Griff Lodge from where the Cleveland Way takes us back to Helmsley.