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Helmsley Walled Garden
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Helmsley Walled Garden

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See all things to do
Helmsley Walled Garden
4.5
#4 of 16 things to do in Helmsley
Gardens
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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About
Built in 1759, Helmsley Walled Garden is a five acre garden sitting beneath the imposing ruins of Helmsley Castle. It provided the vegetables, fruit and flowers for the table of Duncombe Park until just after World War 1 when it was leased as market garden. Abandoned after it closed its doors for the final time in 1984, it fell into dereliction. Restoration started in 1994 and since then the Garden has gone from strength to strength through the dedication and care of staff and volunteers. Visitors can now enjoy restored glasshouses full of colour, a double herbaceous Hot Border running the length of the Garden or sit and enjoy the tranquillity of the Garden of Contemplation. A Clematis Garden showcases over 100 different clematis varieties and in the vegetable patch, a new attraction is the edible flower garden, showing some of the flowers that can bring new colour and style to salads and other dishes. Vegetables and fruit from the Garden go into the delicious dishes prepared in the Vinehouse Cafe. Visitors sit beneath Victorian vine cultivars to enjoy soups, salads and open sandwiches as well as delicious cakes and desserts. The Plant Centre sells a wide selection of herbaceous perennials, some of which visitors will find on display in the Garden. Staff can help visitors with any questions about what might go well in their gardens. The Garden shop also sells a range of useful garden sundries such as gloves, string and seeds as well as gifts such as jams, chutneys and biscuits. Other items available include a range of heritage tools and garden artefacts. The Garden also works as a social enterprise, providing social and therapeutic horticulture to people with a wide range of difficulties and disabilities. Specialist therapists provide a structured environment for supported volunteers to gain skills and self-confidence whilst undertaking horticultural tasks in a safe environment. There is full wheelchair access to the Garden as well as the Cafe. Toilets and disabled toilets available Dogs are welcome on leads
Duration: 2-3 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
633 reviews
Excellent
362
Very good
164
Average
63
Poor
29
Terrible
15
Helen H
1 contribution
Fantastic lunch in cafe
Nov 2023 • Family
My mum and I had lunch in the Walled Garden cafe. Fabulous food with an excellent vegetarian selection. Great pot of tea and friendly staff. Never fails to delight.
Written 12 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karpas3
19 contributions
Small town,but loads to do.
Aug 2023 • Couples
Lovely garden, nice plants.
Nice cafe,what more would you need Had a walk around the town,then visited the bird of prey centre, amazing, worth every penny.
Written 22 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HWGTeam
Thank you for your kind words. We're so glad you enjoyed your trip to the Garden and to Helmsley. We hope to see you again soon. Best wishes,
Written 19 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
zzaaqq
26 contributions
Disappointing this time compared with previous visits
Sep 2023 • Couples
We've visited the gardens in previous years and earlier in the season so maybe our expectations were too high as we felt the gardens on this visit looked rather neglected in several areas. We enjoyed walking around looking at the plants and fruit etc but when we met some friends in the town for coffee, we couldn't confirm that the £9 entrance fee was good value for money so they stayed in the town.
Written 15 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HWGTeam
Hello. Thank you for your review. We are sorry to hear that you felt disappointed this time around. Helmsley Walled Garden is a charity providing therapeutic horticulture opportunities for people within our community. This isn't to the detriment of the garden, rather we hold high standards for all and use best horticulture practice in our approach. However, what it does mean is that our volunteers work together, focusing on specific areas of the garden at a time. Running a garden isn't without it's own considerable costs, and as a charity supporting approximately 100 volunteers, we do have to charge an entrance fee, which we feel is on par with similar gardens in our region. We hope you will visit us again soon. Best wishes.
Written 19 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
mackem
sunderland72 contributions
Great place to visit
Sep 2023 • Couples
We had a lovely visit to the walled garden. Even though we were there in September, there was still so much to see. The planting is excellent, and there are plenty of seats to sit and take everything in. After our visit we went to the cafe and had a fantastic lunch.
Written 10 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HWGTeam
Hi there. What a lovely review, thank you for your kind words! We're so pleased that you felt the garden had lots to offer and our volunteers will be delighted with your comments. We hope to see you again soon. Best wishes.
Written 19 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
SECIRPS
Cardiff, UK119 contributions
Great cafe and pleasant gardens
Aug 2023 • Friends
The cafe has a good choice of food - with GF and vegan options. Nice outside seating area, good service. The garden was lovely but not spectacular - maybe because it is kind of in between seasons. There were some neglected areas, maybe left for nature, but looked more like they can’t keep up with the maintenance which was a shame.The setting - overlooked by the castle was special.
Written 26 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HWGTeam
Hi there, thank you for your review. We will let the café know your feedback. Helmsley Walled Garden is a charity - we provide therapeutic horticulture opportunities for people within our community, through their interaction with gardening and plants in an inclusive and supportive environment. This isn't to the detriment of the garden, rather we hold high standards for all and use best horticulture practice in our approach. However, what it does mean is that our volunteers work together, focusing on specific areas of the garden at a time. This allows people to be able to socialise with their peers - a very important component in volunteering - and also the opportunity to learn from each other. It also means that some areas may not get attention for a wee while whilst we make our way around the garden. We also don't tend to be too rigorous with pruning at this time of year as we would like the garden to feed the birds and wildlife into the winter. Gardens are ever-evolving and none more so than one that has been restored, so we do hope you'll visit again next year to see how the Garden changes further. Best wishes, Helmsley Walled Garden Team
Written 31 August 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Terry E
York, UK333 contributions
Not impressed
Aug 2023 • Couples
We visited on a lovely day, after all the rain recently and were somewhat disappointed. There are some lovely plant combinations but some of the colour combinations in long borders were garish. The overall feel of the garden was that it was getting away from the valiant gardeners. Might have been after all the rain but it was not well maintained in some areas. Deadheading and pruning were lacking. It is quite compact and at £9 each to enter, had we not been on an RHS free entry day, we would have considered it poor value for money. Also the attached cafe was struggling with staff shortages. As a local, unlikely to revisit. Supposed national collection of pelargoniums was laughable. We have more on our patio! Sorry.
Written 10 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HWGTeam
Hello Thank you for your feedback. We're sorry to hear that you're disappointed. It could be said that design is subjective and the central long border is titled Hot Border because of the colours chosen. We have had wonderful comments on that section of the garden but of course, can appreciate that it won't appeal to everyone, and that's okay! We don't tend to be too rigorous with pruning at this time of year as we would like the garden to feed the birds and wildlife into the winter. Our garden is wholly maintained by garden volunteers whose work is coordinated on a weekly basis - we focus on specific areas of the garden at any time. This can be made more difficult with unpredictable weather as we have had this year and we take onboard your comments that some small areas need attention. The Orchid House is brimming with pelargoniums so you must have an awful lot on your patio. We're sorry you feel it's too expensive even though you took up our RHS-partner garden offer of free entry, but we have undertaken a very recent price review of other comparable gardens through-out our area and we're comfortable that we offer good-value-for money and that our 5acre Walled Garden gives plenty to explore.
Written 11 August 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lee_Jeffery74
Selby, UK29 contributions
Blooming great
Jul 2023 • Couples
Stunning. Absolutely stunning. Weather was great which meant we could see it in all its glory. The flowers were just amazing. We ate at the vinehouse cafe which is on-site and then took in the spectacle of beauty that this garden gives you. Credit to those who look after it.
Written 30 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HWGTeam
Thank you for your feedback. We're so pleased you had a lovely visit to both the Vine House Café and the Walled Garden. We will pass your note on to our wonderful volunteers who work so hard to maintain and restore the garden.
Written 11 August 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Brenda S
12 contributions
Truly accessible
Jul 2023 • Couples
What a joy to finally find somewhere in Yorkshire that’s truly accessible!!! I have loved every single minute of my day here and there wasn’t anywhere I couldn’t go on my large mobility scooter.
The design of the garden is truly mindful and full of glorious colours and variety of planting. The staff are so lovely, friendly, calm and NOTHING was too much trouble. Whatever you do when visiting this region DO NOT MISS HELMSLEY WALLED GARDEN.
Written 28 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HWGTeam
Thank you for your feedback, it's so pleasing to read. We're pleased you had such a wonderful visit and that you felt you could access all areas. This is something we are especially proud of, as a garden that is intended for the benefit of its community. And also delighted that you noticed the design of the garden itself. Every decision made is very intentional and designed to enhance the experience of all visitors to the garden.
Written 11 August 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
AliBongo
1 contribution
Little Gem of a Garden
Jul 2023
Lovely garden in a beautiful setting.
Different sections and areas to explore too, various areas of seating well placed to enjoy the surroundings.
Lovely sculptures and also a labyrinth to enjoy.
We enjoyed feeding the chickens with the food purchased from the kiosk on our arrival.
We brought a picnic and we were able to enjoy this on one of the many benches, therefore , we didn't sample the café, however the scones and meals looked delicious and I'm sure on our next visit we will sample these.
Written 21 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HWGTeam
Hello, thank you for your review which was lovely to read. It's a delight to see people enjoying picnics in the garden and so pleased you took advantage of this on the day you visited. We're pleased you'll visit again.
Written 11 August 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Teresa C
Colchester, UK28 contributions
Great gardens
Jun 2023 • Couples
We love visiting here. Great gardens good layout very relaxing lovely sunny day. Lovely tea room and we also purchased some plants.
Written 28 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HWGTeam
Thank you so much for your review. We're delighted that you love visiting the Garden. It is hard to beat on a nice sunny day! Best wishes, Helmsley Walled Garden team
Written 30 June 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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HELMSLEY WALLED GARDEN: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Helmsley Walled Garden
Helmsley Walled Garden is open:
  • Wed - Sun 10:00 - 17:00
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