Helmsley to Rievaulx Abbey and back

The route

 Breakfast at the hotel...very quiet and polite.  Delicious prunes, apricots and Greek yoghurt followed by a full Yorkshire and toast!  Then into the car with the walking gear and a drive to Helmsley where we parked and wandered around a little and bought our picnic lunch - Yorkshire pork pie (large and tasty), tomatoes and apples. 

The beck in Helmsley

We set off on our walk along the Cleveland Way.  Lots of lambs in the fields and good paths though much more up and down than we're used to in Norfolk!  In fact the 7 mile walk was much more effort than expected. 

Little lambs eat ivy

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There are some pretty steep places on the path but we eventually reached the Abbey and we allowed in without paying as we were only venturing as far as the picnic tables.   We enjoyed our lunch and cup of tea from the café with the abbey in the background.

Rievaulx Abbey

The path up to the Rievaulx Terraces

Rievaulx Abbey from Rievaulx

Then climbed up a long winding and steep path edged with wild garlic to the Rievaulx Terraces where we toured one of the Temples and admired the view of the Abbey from above. This diversion added another mile to the walk but was worth it.

Then back to Helmsley, fortunately down hill most of the way.   We fell into the Beck Tea Shop and consumed three cups of tea each and a piece of coffee and walnut cake!   A very good day's walking with light cloud and little wind.  Perfect!