Six things you must do in Helmsley

The last couple of weeks of the school holidays are approaching – along with the last 2019 bank holiday where we’re likely to enjoy any kind of sunshine (although this is the UK, so stranger things have happened – it might well be sunnier on Christmas Day than August 26^th).

But although we’re never sure of the weather, one thing we are sure of – Helmsley is a great place to be this time of year. There’s so much to do, so much to see, and the surrounding countryside is spectacular – we’re in peak heather season, and nothing beats that magnificent purple as far as the eye can see.

So, if you fancy a trip to the town, what should you do? It’s a great place to base yourself if you love walking or cycling or going on leisurely drives (and there’s plenty of fantastic hotels and B&Bs to stay in to make your visit last a bit longer). But for things right in the centre of town to enjoy, we’d recommend:

1.      The Helmsley Walled Garden is stunning at this time of year, and a riot of colour. It’s a great place for a wander round and sitting and admiring the wonder of nature. There’s also a very special cafe tucked away within it, which serves amazing food and drink!

2.      Helmsley Castle is another great place to visit. Dating back over 900 years, you can see how the castle evolved over the centuries, from a mighty medieval fortress to a luxurious Tudor mansion, to a Civil War stronghold and a romantic Victorian ruin. A must-see for history fans – but fascinating regardless of your interests! And with plenty of open green space, it’s fantastic for a picnic or to let little ones run off some steam.

3.      A great experience for all is the Helmsley Open Air Swimming Pool, which has just celebrated its 50^th birthday. Enjoy a cooling dip on a sunny day, or it’s just as amazing being in the warm pool while it’s raining! Make sure you book ahead of time, as it does get busy. Whilst you’re up at that end of town, there’s a playground next to the cricket ground if you’ve children to entertain – and even some fun outdoor gym equipment for the grown-ups!

4.      The award-winning National Centre for Birds of Prey in Duncombe Park is a brilliant experience. Make sure you time your visit to coincide with at least one flying display – Charlie and his team are super knowledgeable and you’ll get to see the birds do their thing!

5.      Make sure you don’t forget to just have a wander around the town. You’ll find dozens of unique and interesting shops, unlike anywhere else. It’s one of the reasons Helmsley won the Great British High Street’s Best Market Town award! It’s a great place to buy presents, or something a bit different for yourself or your home. There’s cafes, restaurants and pubs galore. You certainly won’t go hungry – from fish and chips and fine dining, to scones and cakes to authentic Italian bistros or Spanish tapas.

6.      And of course, last but certainly not least, make sure you call in at Hunters – Britain’s Best Small Shop! (we were officially given that title, we haven’t just made it up ourselves!) We can sort you out with a picnic to enjoy on your explorations, or some tasty Yorkshire treats to take home with you. Whatever your idea of good food, we’ll see you right!

For more information about what’s happening in Helmsley head to www.visithelmsley.co.uk . Hopefully see you soon! 

Exciting new gluten free range of pastries available for tasting!

We are delighted to announce that The Original Baker will be sampling their delicious new gluten free pies and quiche in store on Bank Holiday Monday 26th August.

And when we say delicious, we are not over-exaggerating! We would defy any gluten eater not to be impressed…

We are now stocking the newly launched all-butter pastry quiches and pies from The Original Baker in Malton so we thought it would be a great idea to let all our customers have a little try. We think these are going to be winners for those following a gluten free diet – and also those who aren’t!

Coeliac disease affects one in 100 people – however, only 30% of those who have the condition have been diagnosed which means there are currently nearly half a million people who aren’t yet aware they have it. Coeliac disease is a serious illness where the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues when gluten is eaten, causing damage to the lining of the gut and leaving the body unable to properly absorb nutrients from food.

It is not just those with Coeliac disease who enjoy gluten-free products, with research showing one in 10 people in the UK now avoid gluten in their diet.

The pies and quiches are sold individually wrapped to ensure they are safe for those who are unable to eat gluten. From the range, we’ll be sampling:

·        Smoked salmon & horseradish quiche

·        Sweet potato, pepper & chorizo quiche

·        Leek & bacon quiche

·        Slow-cooked beef & vegetable pie

·        Thai vegetable pie with a creamy coconut sauce

Is your mouth watering yet?! If not, they will be after you find out they come encased in an all butter pastry made with The Original Baker’s own handmade blend of gluten free flours to achieve the perfect texture, taste and appearance. No more card-boardy alternatives, at Hunters we’re all about the taste and these hit the spot.

So, what makes them so special? Cheryl Barrett from The Original Baker, told us: “We have built a separate facility for our gluten free range and are using brand new equipment – this is something we take very seriously. We’re members of the Coeliac Society and we regularly test our products. When we started on this journey, we thought we’d use gluten free flour we could buy in, but it quickly became apparent that none were up to the standard we wanted so we have created our own blend. It was important to us that it baked to an appetizing golden colour, and that it tasted light and buttery and had a delicate texture – we think we’ve achieved that! And we look forward to being at Hunters on 9^th August to share them with customers and visitors.”

As well as the gluten free range, The Original Baker will also be offering samples of its wider range including freshly baked warm hog roast sausage rolls; BBQ pulled pork sausage rolls; peppered steak and ale pie; Mediterranean vegetable roll with feta; and brie, tomato and basil quiche.

And that’s not all! On Saturday 10^th August from 11am we will also be running a tasting of a range of new sauces from Michelin starred chef Tom Kerridge, including Chipotle Barbecue, Virgin Mary, Black Garlic and Gherkin Ketchups. All are handmade in the Lake District without any artificial colourings, flavourings or preservatives and are gluten-free, nut-free and suitable for vegetarians.

So, we look forward to seeing as many of you as possible over the weekend to try out some new things which we’re sure are going to become to old favourites…