Helmsley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Helmsley |
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 Helmsley town square (June 2007) |
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 Helmsley
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| Population | 1,515 (2011 census) |
| OS grid reference | SE617838 |
| • London | 195 mi (314 km) S |
| Unitary authority |
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| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | YORK |
| Postcode district | YO62 |
| Dialling code | 01439 |
| Police | North Yorkshire |
| Fire | North Yorkshire |
| Ambulance | Yorkshire |
| EU Parliament | Yorkshire and the Humber |
| UK Parliament |
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Helmsley is a charming market town in North Yorkshire, England. It's found where the flat Vale of Pickering meets the wild moorlands of Ryedale. This historic town sits right on the River Rye.
Helmsley is about 14 miles (23 km) east of Thirsk and 13 miles (21 km) west of Pickering. It's also about 24 miles (39 km) north of York. Part of the town is actually inside the North York Moors National Park.
The town grew because it was a good place to cross the river and where roads met. Helmsley still has its old-fashioned layout around its market square. It's known for its beautiful buildings and is a special "conservation area." The town is connected to the Earls of Feversham, whose family home, Duncombe Park, overlooks Helmsley Castle. You can see the Feversham Monument and the Helmsley Market Cross in the market place.
Helmsley is a popular spot for tourists. It has even won awards for its beautiful flowers. The town square is a favourite meeting place for motorcyclists. This is because it's at the end of a popular road for bikers from Stokesley. The Cleveland Way National Trail, a long walking path, starts here. It goes for 110 miles (177 km) around the North York Moors and the Yorkshire coast. The old ruins of Helmsley Castle, which was damaged in the English Civil War, stand over the town.
Contents
Helmsley's Past: A Journey Through Time
Archaeologists have found signs that people lived around Helmsley as far back as 3,000 BC. Small farming groups lived here through the Stone, Bronze, and Iron Ages, and even into Roman times. Tools for grinding grain show that farming was important here long ago. Roman pottery and a Roman coin from the 2nd century have also been found.
Early Settlements and Viking Influence
The town's old English name was Elmeslac, meaning 'Helm’s forest clearing'. This tells us what the area looked like back then. The Vikings also left their mark. Many street names end with "gate," which comes from an old Norse word.
After the Norman Conquest, the land changed hands only a couple of times. It was first controlled by William the Conqueror’s half-brother. The area west of Helmsley was a royal deer park. Some very old oak trees in Duncombe Park date from this time.
Becoming a Market Town
Around 1100, the land went to Walter Espec, who founded Rievaulx Abbey. Later, in 1191, Robert De Ros gave Helmsley its special "Borough Charter." This important document officially made Helmsley a market town. This charter created the long, narrow plots of land that you can still see today.
For many centuries, Helmsley's economy relied on sheep farming, wool production, and weaving. Even with challenges like attacks from Scots and the Black Death, Helmsley grew steadily. When wool production slowed down, weavers started using flax. Many buildings still standing today were built around the 17th century. The oldest house is Canon's Garth, the vicarage.
Growth and Changes in Recent Centuries
In the late 1600s, the town was sold to Charles Duncombe. The Duncombe family brought many changes, starting with building Duncombe Park. In the 1800s, home weaving declined because of new factories. But Helmsley still saw big changes. All Saints' Church was rebuilt, and the town hall was built later. More houses appeared, especially after the railway arrived in 1871. As weaving faded, farming became the main way people made a living.
In 2011, a TV show called History Cold Case looked into 2,000-year-old skeletons found nearby. They found that one person might have been part of a ritual killing.
Protecting Helmsley's Heritage
Helmsley has a special "conservation area" that covers about 91.2 acres (36.9 hectares). This area protects its historic character. It includes 433 buildings, with 51 of them being "listed buildings," meaning they are very important historically. Most buildings are made from local cream and honey-coloured stone. Many roofs are covered with pantiles, which are curved tiles. Some larger buildings use smoother stone and slate to show their wealth.
Helmsley's Location and Landscape
Helmsley is located on the southern edge of the North York Moors National Park. It sits about 200 feet (61 metres) above sea level. The town's ground is mostly sandstone. To the west and north, the moorland areas are mainly limestone.
The town is in a dip surrounded by rolling countryside. To the north are the heather moors, and to the south are the farmlands of the Howardian Hills. The flat Vale of Pickering stretches east from the town. The River Rye flows south of the town. It meets Borough Beck, which flows through the town from the moors. The meadows south of the river help make the town look beautiful from the south. In June 2005, the area experienced flash flooding.
Local Government and Community
Helmsley has an electoral ward (a local voting area) with a population of 3,066 people as of the 2011 Census. However, the actual town area has about 1,515 residents. Children in Helmsley usually attend Ryedale School.
Helmsley's Economy and Learning
In recent years, more homes have been built in Helmsley, and a small industrial area has grown in the southeast. Important developments include new council houses, a primary school, a health centre, and housing for older people. The industrial estate is a key part of Helmsley's economy.
The castle visitor centre is a big attraction. Major employers in Helmsley include the Duncombe Park Estate, Thomas’s Bakery, and the North York Moors National Park Authority.
Tourism in Helmsley
Tourism is very important to Helmsley. The national park gets about 9 million day-visits each year. Helmsley attracts the most day visitors (32%) to the North York Moors National Park. It also attracts 37% of visitors who stay longer. While tourism jobs can be seasonal, they bring a lot of money to the area.
Helmsley Community Primary School is located on Carlton Lane.
Fun and Culture in Helmsley
The Helmsley Arts Centre has a 140-seat theatre and a smaller studio space. It shows films, hosts live music, theatre, comedy, and art exhibitions. The 1812 Theatre Company is the local amateur group that performs here. They also have a youth theatre group.
The indie rock band One Night Only is from Helmsley.
Helmsley Walled Garden
The 5-acre (2-hectare) Helmsley Walled Garden was first built in 1756. It's now being brought back to life as a working kitchen garden. It includes old glasshouses designed in 1850. The restoration uses plants that fit the garden's history.
Sports and Recreation
Helmsley has an outdoor swimming pool and a recreation ground. Here you can play tennis, bowls, cricket, and football. The Cleveland Way walking path starts in Helmsley. It follows a horseshoe shape around the North York Moors and then along the coast to Filey. Other interesting places nearby include the National Centre for Birds of Prey and Rievaulx Abbey.
Media and Information
Local news and TV come from BBC North East and Cumbria and ITV Tyne Tees. You can also get BBC Yorkshire and ITV Yorkshire through cable and satellite. Local radio stations are BBC Radio York and Greatest Hits Radio York and North Yorkshire.
Local newspapers include the Malton and Pickering Mercury and the Gazette and Herald. Helmsley Library is in the town hall and won an award in 2010.
Helmsley Archive
The Helmsley Archive is a collection of over 5,000 pictures. These photos show the history of Helmsley over the last 150 years. Local residents are adding more pictures to this collection.
Places of Worship
There are four churches in Helmsley. The main Anglican church is the Church of All Saints.
Images for kids
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Looking up Borough Beck
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Helmsley Market Place (October 2006)
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The Black Swan Hotel
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Inside the Walled Garden
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Church of All Saints
See also
In Spanish: Helmsley para niños
