Girls in Helmsley, part 2

Next day, Sunday, we woke up to think fog, so we had a hearty cooked breakfast, read the papers, and eventually ventured out.  There were very heavily dewed spiders webs everywhere, but it was still very pleasant.

We had a potter round the town, went to the castle, which we could barely see,

and bought loads of things for Christmas from the little shops.  We paid a visit to one of my favourite shops – a dolls house heaven, where an elderly couple have a treasure trove of everything in minature for a dolls house.

Evening meal in The Feathers was very pleasant, and the next morning we had a walk to see the Highland cows, as one of them had a two day old calf.  Ahhh, cute.

Then the bus back to York, and an enormous couple of platters in The Stonegate Yard – a bar recommended to us by twitter.

A great weekend as usual.

Girls weekend in Helmsley

Can’t believe it’s year since the last girls weekend away, and another has come around. This time we off to Helmsley, one of my favourite little towns in North Yorkshire. Set off on Friday, and this time our public transport was a bit of an adventure. Train from Sheffield to York, and then a walk into town and a coffee in view of the Minster.   Then it was time to catch the bus, for an hours drive, passing Byland Abbey (a ruin),  and Ampleforth Abbey (not a ruin).


The bus dropped us off outside The Feathers, so in for lunch it was, then a quick trip round the market buying fresh veg and meat.  Then to the cottage which was beautiful – fantastically equipped, and very comfy. Another wander round the town, and back to light the log fire, and a warming whisky mac.  Dinner was sausage and mash, a mixture of locally made ones, lovely.  Then out for a quick pub crawl round the market square.

Up to a lovely sunny Saturday morning, and we set off to walk to Harome.  On the way we passed some Highland cows being fed, and the farmer introduced them to us by name. The one looking at the camera is Harriet.

After some ace map reading by Beka, we reached the Star Inn at lunchtime.

A great lunch followed, and a visit to the corner shop to buy some locally made chutneys for Christmas.

  Back to Helmsley, after a decent 6 mile walk.

Then it was back to the cottage where we discovered a new cocktail -  sloe gin, elderflower cordial and sparkling wine. Apparently its called a hedgerow.

Then it was our famous Christmas dinner (after Strictly Come Dancing had finished obviously). Roast chicken and pheasant and all the trimmings followed by Christmas pudding flamed in brandy. We even had crackers and candles.

After the food had gone down and the dishwasher was loaded, some of it went out again – to discover a fun fair had been set up in the market square. Well, we just had to go on the dodgems didn’t we? All driving a separate one, and one of us hadn’t been in a  dodgem car for 50 years…..….It was great fun – bordering on the hysterical.

Temples, terraces, walled gardens and wine

Off to Whitby Folk Week, this time via Helmsley for a couple of days with our friends Andrea and Donald. Staying at The Feathers in the market square. Thursday we drove up, had lunch in The Feathers, and a look round the lovely shops. Then we walked to the Walled Garden which I've seen at various times of year, but the herbaceous border looked particularly good at the moment.






There was also a beautiful wild flower meadow.



We had diner in The Feathers, and then a quick pub crawl round the Market Square in the rain. Well, a quick dash to the only other pub which is all of 2 mins away.

Friday was a lovely day, and we had a quick look round the Market, bought provisions for a picnic, and set off to walk to Riveaulx Abbey. The walk was lovely, and took about an hour and a half, with a coffee stop along the way. I took the opportunity to rejoin English Heritage while we were there, and we had a good look round the ruins.


Then, on the way out we spotted a fridge full of cold beers. Knowing that we had some climbing to do, we bought a couple as we thought they might come in handy. We were right! We climbed up to the terraces and temples, and went up the "summer path" rather than the road. It was a 1 in 4 slope, on a narrow, muddy, slippery path. To say I was out of breath at the top was an understatement, and we could all barely speak as we went into the temples. But, it was worth it.



The views were fantastic, and the cold beer to wash the picnic down with was very welcome.



We walked from one end of the terrace to the other and back, which was covered with wild flowers and butterflies.






Then it was back to Helmsley, an 8 mile walk in total, and you can see it on runkeeper here.

We'd been looking for a cottage for our girls weekend away in November, thought we'd found a good one on the Internet, so went to have a look. Nice place, perhaps I'll write about it in a few months if we can work out how to get to Helmsley by public transport. Suspect getting back on the Sunday might be a problem.

Then a was and brush up, posh clothes on, and off to The Feversham Arms for a nice meal. Cocktails, some amazing food, and some nice wine made for a very pleasant evening. Nice to be recognised by all of the staff, but Stuart was a bit disconcerted to hear the maintre 'd tell the waiter that "Mr Sexton likes a lot of wine".



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Another stay at The Fev

Last September I posted about a lovely birthday break for Stu in Helmsley, and we've just been back to the hotel, for no special reason other than we wanted some time off over Easter. So, Back to the Feversham Arms for some rest, relaxation and pampering. What we didn't expect was so much sunshine! When I booked the room and heard that it had an open fire in it, I remember thinking that I hoped we wouldn't need it, but I thought there was a good chance that we might light it in the evening, but no chance!

Arrived on Wednesday lunchtime, and went for a walk round the town until the room was ready. Took in the wonderful food shops in the market square, the lovely old toy shop, and eventually settled on The Feathers for lunch. I broke my record of not eating chips since January, by nicking one of Stu's - but only one!  Then back to the hotel, where we were shown to our room, and discovered a complementary bottle of champagne in an ice bucket. Because the weather was so good, and we didn't want to waste any of it, changed into swimming gear and went to the pool, clutching the bottle, ice bucket and glasses!  Had a fantastic afternoon sipping champagne, reading a good book (yes, Voodoo Histories had arrived), and occasionally sitting in the hot tub, or cooling off in the very warm pool. Then back to the room, where everything has been thought of - the fire is ready laid with matches and candles nearby, a Bang and Olfsen TV with a selection of CDs and DVDs, and in the bathroom joss sticks, candles and a huge bottle of Sheep Dip (actually lavender bath oil).

After a long soak in the bath, with candles lit, joss sticks burning, it was time for dinner. After a pre-dinner scottish gin (with apple, not lemon), we opted for the a la carte, and as usual it was exceedingly good! Crab then slow roasted belly pork - served with something black which I later learned was truffle potato. Stu opted for the cheese trolley rather than desert and got to chose from the 20 or so different cheeses - including some of my favourite, Bells Bluemin  from Shepherds Purse. I had a Pimms desert which I'd been told was unusual, and it certainly was - cucumber ice cream played a big part in it. But, combined with all of the other parts including fruit sorbet, it worked!  Then back to the room to curl up in the cosy arm chairs, watch some TV, and in my case, fall asleep!

Next day we had coffee and newspapers in bed, followed by breakfast delivered to our room - smoked haddock and poached egg - yum!  Then off to the spa where we tried the various heat treatments including the sauna, steam room, and I managed to rub ice all over myself. The relaxation room is huge, and full of comfy sofas, iced tea and magazines, and after some serious chilling out it was time for my facial and Stu's massage. Then a session in the hot tub and more sunbathing and it was lunchtime. Another walk round Helmsley, along the Beck, and quick look at the castle, and we found ourselves in the Feathers again for another excellent lunch.

The lure of the pool was just too much for us, and we headed back, and stayed there all afternoon. It was hot, and we felt as though we were somewhere round the Med. The pool area is lovely, and half way through the afternoon I just had to have a cream tea - didn't have the full one, just scones, served with homemade lemon curd, strawberry and passion fruit jam, clotted cream, and a nice glass of chilled pinot to complete the opulence (and calorie count!). Both of us turned a lovely pink colour so by 6pm it was time to go in, and cool off - in another long hot bath!

This time for dinner we opted for a cocktail followed by the five course tasting menu - the chef's choice of small courses - we had butternut squash soup, soused mackerel, salmon, duck, and a banana desert. Just amazing presentation and flavours. All washed down with some very nice Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, the second bottle of which we finished off in the very comfy lounge later.

Friday morning we opted for breakfast in the restaurant, and I managed to try 4 different juices and smoothies. We went back to the market square so that we could do some shopping at one of the food stores, and I bought some easter eggs for the kids/grandkids.  Also bought some sandwiches and a raspberry tart for a picnic lunch. Very sadly we then said goodbye to the Fev - a very special treat. Hoping it won't be too long before we're back.

On the way back we stopped at the top of Sutton Bank so that we could admire the view, but it was a but misty, then we headed on to Fountain's Abbey for the day. Haven't been for years, and it was so busy - lots of folks enjoing themselves in the sun. Really is a lovely place. We walked along the water gardens, and had a picnic by the pools. Loads of wild flowers out - cowslips, primroses, bluebells, wood anenomes. As you come back there's some wonderful views of the Abbey.  All in all, a lovely few days.

Birthday break at The Fev

A few weeks ago I stayed at a hotel in Helmsley for a work related meeting, and was dead impressed - both with the hotel and Helmsley.  As Stuart's birthday was coming up, I decided to see if we could get in for a couple of days as I thought it would be a good birthday present. And of course one I could enjoy as well :-)  The hotel managed to find a room for us, and last Sunday I drove Stu up there as a birthday surprise.

The hotel was the Feversham Arms, and I'd recommend it for anyone wanting a treat. Customer service is second to none - little things like candles, joss sticks and matches in the bathroom, freshly made coffee and a newspaper delivered to your room every morning, breakfast in the room at no extra charge, and all of the staff remembering your name. When I'd booked it, I'd mentioned that I was looking for particular dates because it was my husband's birthday, and when we arrived there was a chocolate and raspberry cake waiting in the room for him.

We arrived about 4pm, and were able to catch the last rays of the sun in the courtyard by the outside pool which is heated, and had a swim, a session in the hot tub, and a drink. Dinner in the restaurant was preceded by an G and T in one of the comfy lounges -  scottish gin I'd never heard of before which came with apple instead of the more traditional lime or lemon. Dinner was lovely, and the puddings particularly good - a mixture of several small ones on one plate - my idea of heaven!

The next morning we had a session in the spa. We went in the steam rooms, aromatherapy room, sauna - and I managed to rub myself with ice in the ice cave afterwards!  Then I had a facial and a back massage with hot stones while Stu had a deep muscle massage.  I'm a real sceptic when it comes to alternative treatments, but get me in a beauty treatment room with a therapist telling me the stones channel my chakras and I'm hooked!  More hot tub, then we decided perhaps it was time to actually leave the hotel and visit the town.

Helmsley is a lovely small market town - the market square is surrounded by interesting shops - especially food ones - all beautifully adorned with flower displays.

There's a castle to walk round, and a walled garden which has been restored over the last few years.  It has herbaceous borders, wild flower areas, and an amazing collection of apple trees.  Every kind of apple imaginable - red, green, purple - over 60 varieties.  There's also a good selection of pubs in the market square selling an assortment of real ales, many of which we sampled.

Back to the hotel for a late session by the pool and the hot tub, and dinner in the restaurant again.

The next day was Stu's birthday, so we had breakfast in the room, a lovely leisurely morning, opening cards and presents,  and reading the newspaper.  After doing some food shopping, we left at lunchtime, and on the way back called in Kilburn as Stu had decided he wanted to buy a stool to sit on to the practice the banjo, and wanted to see what the Mouseman had. We'd seen signs for the Kilburn White Horse, but neither of us were sure what it was, and half way down a steep hill, we stopped in a car park called the White Horse car park because we thought we might be able to see it from there.  I got out of the car expecting it to be in the distance, but there it was, right in front of me!

There was a better view of it from the Mouseman visitor centre, and Stu got a really nice three legged stool, complete with mouse!

A lovely couple of days, and I'd certainly recommend The Fev for a special break.