I love Helmsley. I’m just putting that out there, if I had considerably more cash than I do, I would happily live in this North Yorkshire Moors town. Thankfully, given I don’t have that sort of income, I do live in close enough proximity to visit it on regular occasion. Having said that, the occasion has been less regular this year, for obvious reasons.

Last weekend, I spent the whole weekend there. I didn’t stay over, but drove across on both Saturday and Sunday to take in the atmosphere, and catch up with people I’ve not seen in a while.

Saturday, the weather was abysmal! I mean, it wasn’t anything we weren’t expecting, but the rain was incessant and the whole drive over the Moors was just terrible. Thankfully, by the time I arrived at Duncombe Park for our walk, after one terrible downpour, it lightened up to more of a heavy drizzle and armed with my umbrella I was able to venture out of the car. We walked along in front of the hall, which you obviously can’t go inside of at the moment, I think you can usually, I think it’s just because of COVID, but we were still able to enjoy the extensive and impressive grounds. I am very much enjoying my trips to the Stately Homes of Yorkshire, and each visit is making me look forward to trips back when lockdown is over and I can be nosey at the inside of the house too.

I do struggle not to go into my own little fantasy world at these places though. A world where I am Lady of the Manor, wandering around my estate with a pack of hounds at my well heeled feet. Back in the real world though, when we had enjoyed our walk we headed back into Helmsley for a lovely meal and a pint of Guinness by the roaring (and very hot) fire in the Royal Oak. A little peruse of some of the gift shops, and it was time to head home, but what a thoroughly lovely way to spend a Saturday afternoon, despite the weather making its best efforts to ruin it.

Sunday was also pretty awful weather wise, but nonetheless we still ventured back. We were heading to Helmsley again, and this time to the fantastic Feversham arms. This is a place I’ve wanted to visit for a long time, really I am still quite desperate to visit the spa there, but all in good time.

After being greeted fabulously by the people who work there, we were escorted through beautiful lounges laden with Christmas trees and into the Weathervane restaurant, which was empty apart from us.

We were just having a light snack, and I ordered savoury scones, which is something I would never ordinarily order, I like jam and cream and lots of sugar involved when I eat scones. Nonetheless, these were amazing, served with the lightest cream cheese I’ve ever eaten, and a beautiful chutney, it was heavenly, I’m desperate to get back here for a meal after the experience we had.

After a lovely couple of hours, it was time to wave goodbye to Helmsley for the second time during the weekend and drive back through the torrential downpours that were battering North Yorkshire at the time. I’d had two lovely days out, but I was more than glad to get back to my nice warm home and pose for a photo in front of my own Christmas tree.