Quick answer
Helmsley Walled Garden is a five acre walled garden of flowers, fruit, vegetables and glasshouses, set below the ruins of Helmsley Castle. The visit page lists “Free entry for under 16s and carers”. A standard adult day ticket is £14.00, and day tickets are sold only at the admission kiosk on the day of your visit. For November and December, the visit page gives Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm, with last entry at 3pm. The garden closes for the winter on Sunday 20 December 2026. The garden suggests allowing at least one and a half hours. There is no public parking at the garden.
Is it right for my child?
- Ages: under 16s go free. The official pages give no age guidance.
- Chickens: the garden page suggests getting a bag of food from the kiosk to feed the friendly chickens. No price is given.
- Places to explore: the garden map lists a Labyrinth, a Secret Garden, an Orchard, the Orchid House and a Picnic Lawn.
- Play area: the home page mentions a children’s play area that closes at 4pm. The official pages give no other details.
- Water: the map lists “Chickens & Pond”, and the design page mentions a wildlife pond. The pages do not say whether they are fenced, so keep toddlers close.
Plan your visit: a parent’s checklist
- Arrive by 3pm. November and December last entry is 3pm, and all visitors must leave by 4pm.
- Visit on or before Sunday 20 December 2026, the last open day before the winter closure.
- Pay at the kiosk. Day tickets are sold only at the admission kiosk on the day, not online.
- Do not trust the postcode in your sat nav. The access page says YO62 5AH takes you up to Duncombe Park, not to the Cleveland Way car park.
- Wear sturdy shoes. Paths are fine gravel and sand, with wood chip in the Kitchen Garden and uneven grass between paths.
Prices and tickets
The visit page lists these day entry prices:
- Standard day ticket: £14.00.
- Gift-aided day ticket: £15.50.
- Free: “Free entry for under 16s and carers”. Carers accompanying a disabled person do not need to buy a ticket.
Day tickets may be bought only at the admission kiosk on the day of your visit. They are valid until closing on that day.
- Annual membership: £16 for 12 months of unlimited entry during opening hours. The garden encourages buying it online.
Free Entry Weekend: the event page lists free entry for all on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 December 2026, 10am to 4pm (last entry 3pm). The garden then closes until it reopens in March 2027.
Pushchairs, babies and toilets
- Level ground: the access page says the garden is all on one level and almost completely step free.
- Orchid House: it has steps up, but also ramp access with a hand rail.
- Paths: main paths are 1900mm wide. Grass areas between paths can be uneven.
- Arriving: an unmade road leads up to the main entrance. A wide paved path runs from the town centre and the car park.
- Toilets: toilets for café users are just inside the Vine House Café entrance, by the main entrance. A second unisex accessible toilet is behind the blue door next to the Salad House. Both are always open.
- Baby changing: the official pages do not mention baby changing.
Food and drink
You can visit the Vine House Café, gift shop and plant sales area without paying garden entry.
- Hours: the home page says that from Sunday 25 October the café serves until 3pm. The visit page gives the café’s general hours as 10am to 4pm, Wednesday to Sunday.
- Food: the café page lists scones baked each morning and homemade cakes. In winter it mentions homemade soup or a pie.
- Allergies: there are nut-free dishes, but the kitchen is not nut-free. The café caters for vegetarians and vegans.
- Space: the café has large spaces for pushchairs and wheelchairs, with one ramp between two levels.
- Picnics: the garden pages suggest a picnic on the grass, and the map shows a Picnic Lawn.
Getting there and parking
The address is Cleveland Way, Helmsley, North Yorkshire YO62 5AH. The garden sits behind Helmsley Castle, a short walk from the centre of Helmsley.
- No public parking at the garden. The nearest public car park is Cleveland Way, which the access page puts 150m from the main entrance.
- Charges: North Yorkshire Council says charges apply 9am to 6.30pm daily. Up to 1 hour is £2.50, 2 hours £3.70, 3 hours £4.40, 6 hours £7.30 and 24 hours £8.70.
- Paying: it is ticketless, so pay on arrival and enter your vehicle registration. Cash and contactless are accepted, but not American Express.
- Blue Badge: North Yorkshire Council, which runs the car park, says Blue Badge holders park free for up to 24 hours, with the badge clearly displayed. The garden’s older access page, updated January 2024, says it is charged.
- From the car park: facing the castle, the visit page says to walk along the path to the right and through the overflow car park. Hold hands with young children, as cars move through both car parks.
- Other parking: the visit page also mentions the Market Square and the surrounding access roads.
- Bus: the visit page names EYMS route 128 from Scarborough and Pickering, and the Reliance 31X from York. The nearest stop is Helmsley Market Square, 400 yards from the main entrance.
When to visit
- 13 November to 20 December 2026: the visit page gives Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm, last entry 3pm. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
- Winter closure: the garden closes on Sunday 20 December 2026. The event page says it reopens in March 2027, with no exact date given.
- Weather: the official pages give no wet-weather advice.
Additional needs and disability support
The garden publishes a detailed access page, and staff answer questions on 01439 772314.
- Carers accompanying a disabled person do not need to buy a ticket.
- Wheelchairs: a small number are free to borrow. Book in advance to make sure one is available.
- Step-free: the main entrance and ticket area have level access, and the entrance door is 254cm wide. The café, plant centre and shop are step free.
- Accessible toilets: two unisex accessible toilets, both always open. The access page describes an emergency alarm pull cord.
- At the kiosk: a magnifying glass, pen and paper are available. Staff open the glass screen to talk, which helps lip reading.
- Assistance dogs are welcome.
- Not available: no induction loop, no audio tour and no lowered ticket counter. The accessible toilet has no flashing fire alarm light.
Frequently asked questions
Is Helmsley Walled Garden free for children?
Yes. The visit page lists “Free entry for under 16s and carers”. A standard adult day ticket is £14.00, sold only at the kiosk on the day.
When does Helmsley Walled Garden close for winter?
It closes for the winter on Sunday 20 December 2026. Until then it opens Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm, with last entry at 3pm.
Can you book Helmsley Walled Garden tickets online?
Not day tickets. They may be bought only at the admission kiosk on the day of your visit. The garden does encourage buying annual membership online.
Where do you park for Helmsley Walled Garden?
The garden has no public parking. Use the paid Cleveland Way car park, about 150m from the main entrance.
Are dogs allowed at Helmsley Walled Garden?
Yes. The visit page says dogs on leads are welcome throughout its spaces.
Is Helmsley Walled Garden good for a pushchair?
The access page says the garden is on one level and almost completely step free, with tamped gravel and sand paths.
Checked on 13 November 2026 against the official Helmsley Walled Garden home, visitor information, access, café, garden map and Free Entry Weekend pages, and North Yorkshire Council’s Cleveland Way car park page. Prices and times can change, so check before you travel.
