Day Trip to Castle Howard, Rievaulx Abbey and the North York Moors from York
York, United Kingdom
Trip Type: Day Trips
Duration: 8 hours
Explore Castle Howard, the world-famous Yorkshire country estate, discover the incredible sights and rugged wilderness of the North York Moors, visit the ruins of Rievaulx Abbey and see some of North Yorkshire's finest villages and countryside scenery on this unforgettable day trip from York.
After travelling across the countryside of North Yorkshire you'll have time to explore the market town of Helmsley and the ruins of Rievaulx Abbey before enjoying a fantastic journey out into the wild and beautiful North York Moors National Park. Finally, you'll spend three magical hours at Castle Howard, Yorkshire's finest stately home.
After travelling across the countryside of North Yorkshire you'll have time to explore the market town of Helmsley and the ruins of Rievaulx Abbey before enjoying a fantastic journey out into the wild and beautiful North York Moors National Park. Finally, you'll spend three magical hours at Castle Howard, Yorkshire's finest stately home.
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Explore Castle Howard, the world-famous Yorkshire country estate, discover the incredible sights and rugged wilderness of the North York Moors, visit the ruins of Rievaulx Abbey and see some of North Yorkshire's finest villages and countryside scenery on this unforgettable day trip from York.
After travelling across the countryside of North Yorkshire you'll have time to explore the market town of Helmsley and the ruins of Rievaulx Abbey before enjoying a fantastic journey out into the wild and beautiful North York Moors National Park. Finally, you'll spend three magical hours at Castle Howard, Yorkshire's finest stately home.The tour starts from York with a drive through the countryside north of York, passing pretty villages and historic sites, including the ruins of Byland Abbey and the famous White Horse at Kilburn. The first destination of the day is the historic market town of Helmsley, a truly delightful medieval town on the edge of the North York Moors. After a quick photo stop at Duncombe Park, a grand stately home on the outskirts of Helmsley, you’ll have 90 minutes to explore Helmsley at leisure. You can visit some of the town’s many independent shops, explore the sights of Helmsley including the stunning church and Helmsley Castle. You can also enjoy an early lunch in one of the many quaint tearooms, pubs and cafés that Helmsley has to offer.
Alternatively you can take the optional trip to Rievaulx Abbey, only a few minutes’ drive from Helmsley. The well-preserved ruins of this once wealthy and powerful Cistercian abbey are a truly remarkable sight. This part of the tour is optional – those wishing to visit Rievaulx Abbey will have a few minutes to enjoy in Helmsley after exploring Rievaulx Abbey. Those who opt to remain in Helmsley will rejoin the group when they return from Rievaulx Abbey.
Leaving Helmsley, the tour continues into the North York Moors, passing through the idyllic village of Hutton-le-Hole and out into the wilderness of the wonderful Moors. You’ll enjoy photo stops during at least an hour spent out on the Moors, as well as chance to walk across the heather and to learn about the history and wildlife of the region and how it has changed dramatically over the centuries.
Continuing through the countryside and quaint villages of North Yorkshire, the tour heads to Castle Howard, the truly remarkable estate of the Howard family. Set on 9,000 acres, Castle Howard has an incredible variety of fascinating treasures to explore, including manicured gardens, expansive grounds and woodland, the wonderfully appointed Temple of the Four Winds and of course the amazing stately home. Castle Howard is also famous as ‘Brideshead’ in the TV and film versions of Brideshead Revisited, and is unquestionably Yorkshire’s finest stately home.
You’ll have approximately three hours at Castle Howard, where you are free to explore at leisure. Your House & Gardens entrance ticket for Castle Howard is included in the tour price, giving you full access during your afternoon visit. Your time spent in the house will be enhanced by the knowledge offered by the expert Castle Howard guides, situated in many of the rooms throughout the house. You’ll find out about the building of Castle Howard and the Howard estate, and how it was transformed for the different TV programmes and films in which it has featured.
Finally, after a fascinating day the tour concludes with the journey back to York city centre.
After travelling across the countryside of North Yorkshire you'll have time to explore the market town of Helmsley and the ruins of Rievaulx Abbey before enjoying a fantastic journey out into the wild and beautiful North York Moors National Park. Finally, you'll spend three magical hours at Castle Howard, Yorkshire's finest stately home.The tour starts from York with a drive through the countryside north of York, passing pretty villages and historic sites, including the ruins of Byland Abbey and the famous White Horse at Kilburn. The first destination of the day is the historic market town of Helmsley, a truly delightful medieval town on the edge of the North York Moors. After a quick photo stop at Duncombe Park, a grand stately home on the outskirts of Helmsley, you’ll have 90 minutes to explore Helmsley at leisure. You can visit some of the town’s many independent shops, explore the sights of Helmsley including the stunning church and Helmsley Castle. You can also enjoy an early lunch in one of the many quaint tearooms, pubs and cafés that Helmsley has to offer.
Alternatively you can take the optional trip to Rievaulx Abbey, only a few minutes’ drive from Helmsley. The well-preserved ruins of this once wealthy and powerful Cistercian abbey are a truly remarkable sight. This part of the tour is optional – those wishing to visit Rievaulx Abbey will have a few minutes to enjoy in Helmsley after exploring Rievaulx Abbey. Those who opt to remain in Helmsley will rejoin the group when they return from Rievaulx Abbey.
Leaving Helmsley, the tour continues into the North York Moors, passing through the idyllic village of Hutton-le-Hole and out into the wilderness of the wonderful Moors. You’ll enjoy photo stops during at least an hour spent out on the Moors, as well as chance to walk across the heather and to learn about the history and wildlife of the region and how it has changed dramatically over the centuries.
Continuing through the countryside and quaint villages of North Yorkshire, the tour heads to Castle Howard, the truly remarkable estate of the Howard family. Set on 9,000 acres, Castle Howard has an incredible variety of fascinating treasures to explore, including manicured gardens, expansive grounds and woodland, the wonderfully appointed Temple of the Four Winds and of course the amazing stately home. Castle Howard is also famous as ‘Brideshead’ in the TV and film versions of Brideshead Revisited, and is unquestionably Yorkshire’s finest stately home.
You’ll have approximately three hours at Castle Howard, where you are free to explore at leisure. Your House & Gardens entrance ticket for Castle Howard is included in the tour price, giving you full access during your afternoon visit. Your time spent in the house will be enhanced by the knowledge offered by the expert Castle Howard guides, situated in many of the rooms throughout the house. You’ll find out about the building of Castle Howard and the Howard estate, and how it was transformed for the different TV programmes and films in which it has featured.
Finally, after a fascinating day the tour concludes with the journey back to York city centre.
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