The Helmsley Retreat is a 5-star cottage in Helmsley, right in the heart of the North York Moors National Park. Just 350 yards from the market square, this two-bedroom property sleeps four and holds a Customers' Choice 2026 award.
It's beautifully presented throughout with high-quality furniture and a light open-plan layout.
Helmsley is a proper Yorkshire market town. It sits at the meeting point of three walking routes including the Cleveland Way.
There are independent shops, art galleries, a microbrewery, cafés and eateries all within easy walking distance.
Inside you get a king-size bedroom (5ft) and a double bedroom (4ft 6in) plus a modern walk-in shower room. The open-plan living space has a 50" Smart TV, SONOS sound system and a deep corner sofa.
The kitchen has an induction hob, coffee machine and dishwasher.
The private enclosed Spa Garden has a top-of-the-range hot tub for four and a private sauna. Helmsley Castle and Duncombe Park are both a short stroll away. York is a straightforward drive.
One pet stays free of charge.
The Helmsley Retreat suits couples and small families who want a genuinely luxurious base in one of Yorkshire's best-loved towns. Book it.
You'll want to come back.
While there'll be plenty to keep you entertained at
The Helmsley Retreat itself, if you plan to get out and about and see some of what Vale of York has to offer, here are some of the nearby attractions you can enjoy during your stay. Please note that some of these activities and days out are paid and it's always a good idea to book in advance to secure your place where applicable.
Found a special day out near your cottage? Please
let us know and we'll add it so that other visitors can enjoy it too!
Yorkshire Lavender - YO60 6PB
about 8 Miles
Yorkshire Lavender is an amazing award winning attraction offering breathtaking panoramic views of York, a Café, Plant Nursery and Lavender Gardens. The 60 acre site is set in an area of outstanding natural beauty and is an excellent choice for a day trip. The onsite shops sells Lavender products such as bath and body treats, skincare, medicine and herbal remedies.
Castle Howard - YO60 7DA
about 10 Miles
Castle Howard is one of the regions most beautiful and historic landmarks and is located in 1,000 acres of parkland with breathtaking gardens to explore. As well as exploring the castle visitors can enjoy attractios including the unique Land Train - the best way to see the entire park. There is also a large lake offering boat trips during the summer months. In high season the site is very popular with families and offers organised activities for children including tours, talks, crafting and animal encounters. The site also has a Nature Trail which is fun for the whole family and an Adventure Playground where children can run off some energy.
Flamingo Land - YO60 7EW
about 10 Miles
Situated in Malton in North Yorkshire this has to be one of our favourite family days out. It's a theme park and zoo all in one stretching over a massive 400 acres. With thrilling rides for the very daring like Cliff Hanger, Corkscrew and Kumali, there are also more gentle rides for the little ones such as Frog Hopper and Helitoys. Family fun attractions include the 4D cinema, the lost river ride and the Little Monsters Den of Mischief. Check out their website for seasonal events which take place throughout the year and you can also gain more information about the zoo. Flamingo Land is a resort as well as a theme park so you can also book accommodation there.
Web Adventure Park - YO32 9JS
about 17 Miles
Come rain or shine children need to be entertained and Creepy Crawlies just north of York is the perfect place! This all weather attraction caters for toddlers and children up to 12 years old with a huge array of climbing equipment, ball pools, slides, chutes and adventure areas. Adults can relax and enjoy a coffee and a snack while the kids are having fun. The site also has a large and rather impressive outdoor area with pet zone and pedal track with Go karts. There is also a pond with fish and a sensory zone where children can touch and feel new and interesting things.
Jorvik DIG - YO1 9RY
about 19 Miles
Dig is a unique and somewhat educational attraction in York offering children the opportunity to enjoy excavation, discovery, and digging. Within the site is a discovery centre, several pits filled with Roman and Medieval ruins and a science lab where children can take part in exciting experiments. Staff are on hand at all times to help the children and to ensure they get the most from the experience. The attraction can get busy during school holidays and pre booking is recommended.
Jorvik Viking Centre - YO1 9WT
about 20 Miles
Jorvik Viking Centre is a fun and educational attraction offering visitors the chance to learn all about the Viking-Age city of Jorvik. Thanks to the Archaeologists from York Archaeological Trust the amazing houses, workshops and backyards of the Viking-Age city of Jorvik are on display and give a clear insight to the way of life all those years ago. The site aims to offer an interactive experience with the state of the art time capsule and the blacksmith's furnace being the top attractions.
Lightwater Valley - HG4 3HT
about 20 Miles
Situated in the Ripon area of North Yorkshire this popular theme park makes a fantastic day out for the whole family. The more daring will love the big and thrilling rides such as Raptor Attack, The Ultimate and Trauma Tower. For the little ones there are some excellent attractions such as Flying Camels, Dodgems and a Magic Wheel. Toddlers will like the Dragon Boats and the Lightwater Express amongst other things. There are over 40 rides and attractions in total and we think this is excellent value for money too. If you book your tickets in advance online you can save even more money and beat the queues.
York Maze - YO19 5LT
about 21 Miles
If you are enjoying a lodge holiday in Yorkshire then a visit to York Maze is a must! This summertime attraction is now one of the most popular in the region offering fun for the whole family. The maze has been improved this year and is now bigger and better than ever before. Carved from an amazing 1.5 million growing maize plants it is thought to be the largest maze in the world! As well as the maze itself the site boasts an adventure playground, 9 hole crazy golf courses and an animal petting area where children can meet the cute and friendly animals that eat the maize and watch pig racing! Tractor and trailer rides around the maize are also available and are recommended for those with young children.
Big Sheep - EX39 5AP
about 21 Miles
This is a recommended day out for families with young children visiting the Bedale area of Yorkshire. Visit the farm and receive a warm welcome as well as a guided tour. You will have the chance to bottle feed the lambs, bath a pig and handle some of the smaller animals. Kids will love the big sandpit and the outdoor play area. There is also a cafe and indoor play area for when the weather is not on your side.
The Grainary Wildlife Farm - YO25 3HS
about 22 Miles
Located in Harwood Dale Village, North Yorkshire we think this attraction makes a superb family day out and couples will also enjoy the nature walks in the area. There are 6 nature walks in total surrounding the farm so walkers and lovers of the outdoors will be in their element. Some of our favourite walks include the Spring Flowers, Pond and Village walk which takes around 35 minutes, and the Meadow and Trees walk which takes one hour.
Fountains Abbey - HG4 3DY
about 22 Miles
This is an outstanding world heritage site located close to Ripon in the North Yorkshire area. Nature lovers will be in their element with an abundance of wide open spaces to explore and there are special guided tours for families. Some of the highlights may include seeing wild deer and bats during your visit. The grounds are fantastic to wander round but there is also an Elizabethan Mansion, Victorian Church, Georgian Water Garden and the finest example of Cistercian Abbey ruins in the country - Well worth a visit!
Betton Farm Visitor Centre - TF9 3PS
about 23 Miles
Betton Farm Visitor Centre is the ideal attraction close to the North Yorkshire coastal town of Scarborough. This animal farm has all the cute farm animals you would expect to see and will appeal to younger children especially. A great place to both play and learn we think the Betton Farm Visitor centre is great value for money. Check out their website for the latest opening times and admission costs. Some of the highlights of the day might include meeting Sofie the Shetland Pony and Henry the goat, as well as the pot bellied pigs called Porky and Hammy.
Madhyamaka Meditation Centre - LL21 9NG
about 24 Miles
Madhyamaka Meditation Centre a unique and very special centre in the Yorkshire moors offering amazing meditation experiences for experts and novices. The beautiful setting really ads to the experience and the gorgeous grounds are abundant with wildlife including Squirrels, Deer and Birds including Red Kites. The centre is now offering a special weekend retreat for families which includes family friendly guided meditations as well as fun activities such as face painting, games and a barbeque.
Scarborough Sea Life and Marine Sanctuary - YO12 6RP
about 26 Miles
If you are enjoying a lodge break in the Yorkshire Moors and Coast then a day trip to the Scarborough Sea Life and Marine Sanctuary highly recommended. This centre is one of the regions most popular attractions and is educational as well as fun. Visitors will enjoy a journey beneath the waves, meeting many strange, beautiful and fascinating creatures of the deep. As well as mighty sharks and beautiful rays guests can get up close to some more common creatures including star fish and can also meet the otters, seals and penguins at feeding time. The site also has children's play area and picnic tables as well as a restaurant and souvenir shop. Family tickets cost £46.80 but the Tourist Information Centres in Scarborough, Whitby or Filey often offer fantastic discounts.
Stillingfleet Lodge Gardens - YO19 6HP
about 26 Miles
A day trip to Stillingfleet Lodge Gardens is the perfect way to relax with several gardens to explore in the grounds of a historic farmhouse. The gardens were established 30 years ago and each has something different to offer. Expect to find dramatic displays of foliage and flowers as well as beautifully landscaped areas. Families will enjoy the woodland which leads to a wildlife pond and a beautiful wildflower meadow. The site runs morning courses in gardening throughout the summer which are priced at just £12 and include coffee. There is also a nursery onsite where plants can be purchased. Entry to the gardens cost just £4 for adults and 50p for children.
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