Duncombe Park

An excellent open ground for fairs and rally. I was attending the Great Yorkshire Traction Engine club rally, open to the public. It was on over two days and I went for one. There were small and large engines, classic cars and vintage bicycles and motorcycles. See pictures below. Also a reasonable range of food outlets and a bar. Provision is also made for children with fairground rides and a bouncy castle. There were a good sprinkle of enthusiasts but lots for families with children.

What a gem, thourghly our selves, the space and views were great. Definitely worth a visit. The reason why I dropped one star was due to insufficient signage in, need for more information and accessibility issues. Just some tweaks needed! Entrance Road Signage - fortunately we had read on line that the Bird of Prey Centre and Duncombe Park shared the same Admission Office. There was a sign for both as we entered Helmsley, then just the Bird if Prey sign, I did a quick uncertain turn in, my 'Bubble' friends drive past, remembered and managed a U turn. Worth doing. Covid - screen in the shop, could do with gels at suitable points. The shop is narrowly, but people were careful. Goodies: Duncombe Estate and the Bird of Prey Centre (which we did not try this time). Map - ground map was good, but needs accessibility information and we would liked to know more about the Duncombe Estate! Shop - has a hot drinks machine, ice-cream, a few snacks and gift shop items. Tourist Information - there was a small rack of local and wider afield Information. Duncombe Gardens - we had a map for the gardens and the river walk. As the day was so hot, we have reserved the river walk for a cooler day as it is downhill and obviously backup! We loved the grounds, we headed for the shade for our picnic and were able to keep to the shade of the trees most of the time ~ Highlights was the swing (yes we are big kids), The Temple to the right (with our backs to the Hall) gave stunning glimpses of Helmsley Castle and the Hills. The best was the walk in the woods and finding the Conservatory gem with two fountain gardens,including scented phlox in the front border Accessibility issues - mainly level ground and slopes. However, there could be signage to direct people to the slopes rather than steps? ~ Shallow steps to the Admission Office and Shop ~ The Garden has a number of steps once last the entrance and no apparent alternative. Could do with a bit of rearranging eg move the waste bin away from the dryer for accessibility? ~ Toilets, the one near the entrance has ridged stoop before the ramp and no Emergancy pull cord. ~ Toilet 2 in the corridor leading to the garden. This one us in the corridor to the left if the Hall has a brass knob that made it difficult to exit, we each grabbed a paper towel to get a grip! Car Park - free, entry of overflow and parking for disabled nearer the Admission Desk and Shop. Staff - a Bird of Prey Centre staff issuing tickets, lovely and friendly. Toilets - one at the entrance and one in the passage leading to the garden (slippery brass handle requiring each of us in turn to grab a paper towel to get out - the drier was not hot enough to dry our hands).