From Rievaulx to Unexpected Finds – Exploring Around Helmsley & Thirsk
Apr 17
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After yesterday’s explore around Leyburn and Wensleydale, and a bit of a mix-up where I mistakenly said I’d visited Rievaulx Abbey (when it was actually Jervaulx Abbey – easy mistake, right?), I thought it only fair to make it right. So today, I headed out towards Helmsley and Thirsk to put that right and squeeze in a few other locations along the way. What followed turned into one of those brilliantly varied days, full of grand landmarks and a couple of unexpected gems that made it even better.
From the majestic ruins of Rievaulx Abbey to the charming streets of Helmsley, and out across countryside hiding everything from historic halls to crumbling towers, it was the kind of day where you just keep finding more than you planned for. The weather held up, the light played along, and the drone got plenty of airtime capturing it all from fresh angles. It was a great mix of planned stops and lucky stumbles—which, let’s be honest, are often the best kind of days.
Rievaulx Abbey – A Monastic Masterpiece in a Hidden Valley
Rievaulx Abbey is one of the most impressive and atmospheric monastic ruins in the country. Founded in 1132 by Cistercian monks, it grew into a vast and powerful abbey, home to over 600 people at its peak. The setting is stunning—tucked away in a quiet valley near Helmsley, surrounded by woodland and rising hills, it was designed to reflect both spiritual isolation and grandeur.
From above, Rievaulx is a breathtaking sight—with its soaring Gothic arches, long nave, and detailed stonework laid out like a blueprint of medieval devotion. The drone captured the scale and symmetry of the ruins, showing how they sit so perfectly within the surrounding landscape. Even with no roof and only fragments left, the abbey still feels alive, and flying over it really brought out the beauty of this peaceful, sacred site.
Rievaulx Terrace & Ionic Temple – Grand Views and Georgian Elegance
High above the abbey ruins lies the beautifully landscaped Rievaulx Terrace, created in the 18th century by the Duncombe family as part of their estate. The highlight is the Ionic Temple, inspired by classical Roman architecture and designed purely for show—a place to admire the view, not to worship. It was part of a fashionable trend of creating ornamental pleasure grounds that celebrated art, architecture and landscape in perfect harmony.
From above, the temple’s symmetry and placement are striking, perched on the wooded escarpment overlooking Rievaulx Abbey far below. The drone captured the sweeping curve of the terrace, the manicured lawns, and the perfect sightline from temple to ruins—a deliberate, dramatic pairing created purely for visual impact. It’s a brilliant example of Georgian theatrical landscaping, and the views are just as stunning today as they were 250 years ago.
Rievaulx Tuscan Temple – A Classical Counterpart in the Trees
At the opposite end of the Rievaulx Terrace from the Ionic Temple stands its elegant sibling—the Tuscan Temple. Built in the mid-18th century as part of the landscaped gardens, it reflects a more restrained, classical style, inspired by Roman simplicity. While the Ionic Temple was designed for show and social gatherings, the Tuscan Temple served more as an entrance point and visual balance, marking the start of the woodland walk along the terrace.
From the air, the Tuscan Temple is beautifully framed by surrounding trees, tucked at the beginning of the curved grassy promenade. The drone captured its position perfectly, offering a symmetrical view of how it relates to the overall landscape design. Though less flamboyant than its counterpart, it plays a vital role in the carefully crafted drama of the terrace, giving the whole layout structure, balance, and a sense of elegant procession.
Rievaulx Bridge – A Quiet Crossing with Historic Charm
Rievaulx Bridge is a graceful stone crossing over the River Rye, just a short distance from the abbey ruins. Dating from the 18th century, it served the local estate and nearby settlements, blending beautifully with the peaceful rural surroundings. With its simple stone arches and understated design, it perfectly complements the historic atmosphere of the area without overshadowing it.
From above, the bridge sits like a delicate thread across the river, framed by trees and the soft curves of the surrounding landscape. The drone captured its perfect symmetry, reflected in the slow-moving water beneath. It’s a humble structure compared to the grandeur of the abbey and temples nearby, but it plays its part—a quiet, timeless feature in this richly historic corner of North Yorkshire.
Helmsley Castle – Power, Prestige and a Ruined Beauty
Helmsley Castle has stood on the edge of the market town since the 12th century, originally built as a Norman stronghold and later transformed into a luxurious Tudor residence. Over the centuries, it was updated, besieged during the English Civil War, and eventually partially demolished—yet much of it remains impressively intact. Today, it offers a fascinating mix of military might and refined living, with everything from curtain walls to manor house ruins on display.
From the air, Helmsley Castle commands attention, with its dramatic position overlooking the town and surrounding countryside. The drone captured the structure’s shape beautifully—half-ruin, half-restoration—with its large earthworks, stone towers and the sheer drop to the moat giving a sense of its once-formidable presence. Surrounded by gardens and green fields, it’s a castle full of contrasts and character—a striking mix of history and landscape all in one frame.
Helmsley Walled Garden – A Peaceful Haven Beneath the Castle Walls
Nestled in the shadow of Helmsley Castle, the Helmsley Walled Garden is a beautifully restored five-acre garden that dates back over 250 years. Originally built to provide produce and flowers for Duncombe Park estate, it fell into decline in the 20th century before being brought back to life in the 1990s. Today, it’s a thriving space filled with heritage fruit trees, vibrant flower borders, orchards, and greenhouses, maintained with community involvement and care.
From the air, the garden reveals its symmetrical layout and colourful patchwork of planting beds, framed by historic brick walls and overlooked by the rising ruins of the castle. The drone captured how the garden is perfectly enclosed yet open to the views beyond, creating a calm and balanced composition. It’s a place that feels quietly magical from above—cultivated, peaceful, and full of life, right at the heart of Helmsley’s historic core.
St Mary’s Church, Thirsk – A Towering Treasure
St Mary’s Church stands just a short stroll from Thirsk’s bustling market square, anchoring the town with its impressive 15th-century Gothic architecture. Built in the Perpendicular style, it features soaring windows, intricate stonework, and a commanding tower that rises above the surrounding rooftops. The church replaced an earlier Norman building and has long served as a focal point for worship, community, and heritage in the area.
From the air, St Mary’s dominates the local skyline, its tower and nave framed by trees and the surrounding streets of Thirsk. The drone captured the church’s elegant proportions and the way it integrates seamlessly into the fabric of the town. Whether you’re admiring its architecture or soaking up the atmosphere inside, St Mary’s is a landmark that embodies the spirit and history of Thirsk.
Mount Grace Priory, House and Gardens – Tranquillity at the Foot of the Moors
Mount Grace Priory, just outside Osmotherley, is one of the best-preserved Carthusian monasteries in England. Founded in the late 14th century, it was home to a silent order of monks who lived in individual cells surrounding the cloister—remains of which can still be seen today. The site also features a later Arts and Crafts-style manor house, blending monastic ruins with early 20th-century elegance, and beautifully restored gardens full of structure and colour.
From above, Mount Grace is a stunning mix of ruin, residence, and order. The drone captured the symmetrical layoutof the old priory, the red-roofed house nestled beside it, and the neatly kept formal gardens, all tucked at the edge of the North York Moors. Surrounded by woodland and hills, it’s a place that feels peaceful, balanced and full of quiet history—a perfect way to end the day’s exploring.
Whorlton Old Church – A Weathered Ruin in a Peaceful Setting
Whorlton Old Church, also known as Holy Cross Church, sits quietly in the hamlet of Swainby, near the ruins of Whorlton Castle. Dating back to the 12th century, this ancient place of worship served the local community for centuries before falling into disuse in the 19th century. Today, the roofless stone shell, carved doorways and weathered gravestones tell of a once-important rural parish now reclaimed by time and nature.
From above, the church feels beautifully remote, tucked among trees and farmland, with the drone revealing its simple rectangular layout and surrounding graves. The chancel arch and tower remains still stand, giving a sense of both grace and decay. It’s the kind of place that might be overlooked from the road, but from the air, its setting and story become clear—a quiet corner of history nestled in the landscape.
Whorlton Castle – A Hidden Fortress of Forgotten Power
Whorlton Castle, located near the village of Swainby in North Yorkshire, dates back to the 12th century and was once a Norman motte-and-bailey fortress, later developed into a fortified manor. Most of the structure has long since fallen into ruin, but the striking 14th-century gatehouse, with its twin towers and archway, still stands proudly. Once an important seat of local authority, it has since faded into obscurity, giving it an almost mythical presence in the landscape.
From the air, Whorlton Castle’s gatehouse rises unexpectedly from the greenery, a lone fragment of a once-imposing stronghold. The drone captured its rugged stone walls, the slight outline of the original bailey, and its dramatic position looking over the vale. Tucked between woods and farmland, it feels almost forgotten, but holds a powerful presence—a haunting and atmospheric ruin full of character and intrigue.
Wrapping Up the Day
After setting the record straight between Rievaulx and Jervaulx, today turned into a fantastic follow-up to yesterday’s Wensleydale wanderings. What started as a bit of a correction became a brilliant day in its own right—exploring the landmarks around Helmsley, Thirsk and Swainby, uncovering a great mix of iconic locations and hidden gems. The weather played along, and the drone had plenty of chances to get up and capture some beautifully varied landscapes and historic sites.
From the majesty of Rievaulx Abbey to the peaceful ruins of Whorlton Old Church, and everything in between—castles, temples, gardens, and forgotten corners—it was one of those days where the more I explored, the more there was to find. A few accidental discoveries made it even better, and it reminded me just how rich this part of the country is for history, scenery, and surprises. Another one for the books—and another place I’ll no doubt be drawn back to again.
