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Rievaulx Abbey

Located in the valley of the North York Moor, Rievaulx Abbey are impressive ruins of one of England's most powerful Cistercian monasteries.

Adults: 4 Children: 0

Nearby Attractions

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Helmsley Castle

Built on a rocky outcrop overlooking the River Rye, Helmsley Castle is a medieval castle situated in the market town of Helmsley, within the North York Moors National Park.

Helmsley Walled Garden

The garden is nestled at the bottom of the North York Moors between Duncombe Park and the scheduled ancient monument of Helmsley Castle.

Kilburn White Horse

The White Horse was designed and financed by Thomas Taylor, who marked out the figure of a horse on a hillside and a team of volunteers deposited 6 tons of lime on the naturally greyish rock beneath to whiten it.

Formed by glacial erosion over 20,000 years ago, Lake Gormire is full of myths and mystery around its formation as it has no major inflow or outflow of water - confounding people who wondered how the lake was fed.

The largest of a series of promontory forts located along the west and north edges of the Hambleton Hills. The defences surround the entire promontory (some 24 hectares or 60 acres) make it the largest and strongest prehistoric enclosure in Yorkshire.

Coxwold Village

Coxwold is a small attractive village on the South-western edge of the North York Moors, just inside the boundaries of the National Park.

Related Tours

From York: Private Guided Walk of the North York Moors - Helmsley to Rievaulx Abbey

After being picked up in York, you will be taken by private vehicle to the charming Yorkshire market town of Helmsley before your adventure starts.

This North Yorkshire town, which is steeped in history with attractions to appeal to all, from a 900-year castle ruin, a 250-year-old Walled Garden, and a fine selection of quaint tea rooms, this is the perfect place to kick-start your walking experience with your own certified private guide. With outstanding panoramic views across areas of ancient woodland, splendid primeval abbeys, and an abundance of wildlife makes for a breathtaking experience of seclusion and peacefulness.

Following one of England’s most celebrated national trails – The Cleveland Way – you will reach the site of Rievaulx
Abbey. Dating back to 1131 the monks set to and laid the foundations of what was to become the largest and richest Cistercian house in England.

Please note: This is a gentle walk but walking shoes/boots would be recommended or at the very least training shoes. Depending on the weather a waterproof and hat are also essential for individual comfort.

Refreshments and toilet facilities are available at Rievaulx and Helmsley.

Should you wish to meet your guide directly at the starting point in Helmsley, you can follow up after your booking is completed to confirm a Helmsley-based meeting point.

Bridgerton-Themed Castle Howard Private Day Trip from York

Castle Howard is a place and palace like no other where for over 300 years the Howard family have been welcoming visitors. In just one visit you'll see a palace, a town, a fortified city, temples, magnificent woods, hills, vales and a mausoleum. On your private tour you will:

Enjoy sensational views of York Minster across the vale of York as you drive out of the city
Drive through Howardian Hills an area of outstanding natural beauty
Enjoy a guided tour of Castle Howard and formal gardens, which were used as Bridgerton's Clyvedon Castle - the Duke of Hastings’ family estate.
Visit Coneysthorpe, where you'll enjoy magnificent views of Castle Howard across the lake.
Enjoy breathtaking views across the North York Moors.
Visit picturesque, quaint villages, and pass by Newburgh Priory, which was founded in 1145.
Be dropped off at your hotel in York after the tour concludes.

Heading out of York you'll take in breathtaking views of York Minster as you head into the Vale of York. You'll then be driven through the charming villages of Sutton on Forest and Stililngton both mentioned in William the Conquerer’s Domesday Book after which the imposing York Minster comes into view.

After driving through the Howardian HIlls and former Castle Howard estate village of Bulmer you'll arrive at Castle Howard where you'll have the chance to stop for a coffee and browse the estate's shops. This will be followed by a private tour of the house and formal gardens before you're left to have lunch and explore on your own.

After lunch you'll have plenty of photo opportunities on the specially curated tour of picture perfect, chocolate box villages including a stop in Coneysthorpe where Bridgerton filming took place, before travelling through Hovingham past Hovingham Hall where HRH Duchess of Kent was born. You'll drive by many magnificent abbeys and their ruins including Rievaulx Abbey established in 1132, once one of the most important abbeys in England.

On your way back into the Howardian Hills you'll travel past Newburgh Priory towards the village of Crayke mentioned in the Domesday Book. Far reaching views across the Vale of York and towards the Yorkshire Dales lead you back to your hotel where you'll be dropped off.