Duncombe Park

Lovely countryside walk, nice and quiet

Huge big area to walk around, although as far as the garden walk goes is not the usual flower garden, and the rose gardens you can see, are private. But still enjoyable day walk to blow cobwebs away. To get there follow the Birds of Prey signs in Helmsley, it's same place to pay for admission to gardens.

An excellent open ground for fairs and rally. I was attending the Great Yorkshire Traction Engine club rally, open to the public. It was on over two days and I went for one. There were small and large engines, classic cars and vintage bicycles and motorcycles. See pictures below. Also a reasonable range of food outlets and a bar. Provision is also made for children with fairground rides and a bouncy castle. There were a good sprinkle of enthusiasts but lots for families with children.

A large parkland surrounds this stately home just outside Helmsley. Although the house is not open to the public the gardens are with tickets avaliable from the same shop that handles the nearby bird of prey sanctuaryThe gardens are less of a traditional garden more forest areas with open grassed areas giving decent views of the house and towards Helmsley and open countryside.Open parkland is very good for a decent walk, possibly by the river although the climb back to the car park level is quite steep.....must be getting old

The car parking cost £5 and we bought our ticket from the Birds of Prey centre next door. We had a walk around the general estate before looking around the gardens. There was no one around, there was very little information and you couldn't go in the house - it is closed to the public.

Large wide open space with several moderate walks and a good way to do a circuit up to the Cleveland Way and back to Helmsley. Nice views of Helmsley and the Castle, Duncombe Hall, and access to the Bird of Prey Centre. Ideal for dog walkers.

Attend a mag rally here recently. Great group day with lovely views

What a gem, thourghly our selves, the space and views were great. Definitely worth a visit.The reason why I dropped one star was due to insufficient signage in, need for more information and accessibility issues. Just some tweaks needed!Entrance Road Signage - fortunately we had read on line that the Bird of Prey Centre and Duncombe Park shared the same Admission Office. There was a sign for both as we entered Helmsley, then just the Bird if Prey sign, I did a quick uncertain turn in, my 'Bubble' friends drive past, remembered and managed a U turn. Worth doing.Covid - screen in the shop, could do with gels at suitable points. The shop is narrowly, but people were careful.Goodies:Duncombe Estate and the Bird of Prey Centre (which we did not try this time).Map - ground map was good, but needs accessibility information and we would liked to know more about the Duncombe Estate!Shop - has a hot drinks machine, ice-cream, a few snacks and gift shop items.Tourist Information - there was a small rack of local and wider afield Information.Duncombe Gardens - we had a map for the gardens and the river walk. As the day was so hot, we have reserved the river walk for a cooler day as it is downhill and obviously backup!We loved the grounds, we headed for the shade for our picnic and were able to keep to the shade of the trees most of the time~ Highlights was the swing (yes we are big kids), The Temple to the right (with our backs to the Hall) gave stunning glimpses of Helmsley Castle and the Hills. The best was the walk in the woods and finding the Conservatory gem with two fountain gardens,including scented phlox in the front borderAccessibility issues - mainly level ground and slopes. However, there could be signage to direct people to the slopes rather than steps?~ Shallow steps to the Admission Office and Shop~ The Garden has a number of steps once last the entrance and no apparent alternative. Could do with a bit of rearranging eg move the waste bin away from the dryer for accessibility?~ Toilets, the one near the entrance has ridged stoop before the ramp and no Emergancy pull cord. ~ Toilet 2 in the corridor leading to the garden. This one us in the corridor to the left if the Hall has a brass knob that made it difficult to exit, we each grabbed a paper towel to get a grip!Car Park - free, entry of overflow and parking for disabled nearer the Admission Desk and Shop.Staff - a Bird of Prey Centre staff issuing tickets, lovely and friendly.Toilets - one at the entrance and one in the passage leading to the garden (slippery brass handle requiring each of us in turn to grab a paper towel to get out - the drier was not hot enough to dry our hands).

The bird of prey exhibition was so great that we went to the 11am and 2pm showing. Our grandchildren loved it..

It is difficult to find entrance using Sat nav. Payment was by cash only! No cafe ( hence 4 and not 5 stars) The grounds were beautiful, a particularly beautiful orangery. The groundsman and the lady working with the plants on site should be commended for exemplary care and dedication. Both incredibly knowledgeable.