The 6-mile walk in one of UK’s prettiest towns – which passes ‘best’ pub

A beautiful six-mile walk in one of UK’s prettiest towns passes one of the “best” pubs in the UK.

Helmsley is a quaint market town on the fringe of the North York Moors, with a bustling market square, dramatic castle ruins, charming tea rooms, and inviting inns.

And from the Helmsley market square to the quieter charms of Harome, with a range of countrywide along the way, there’s plenty on this Ryedale stroll.

The walk is 6¾ miles long in total with footpaths and waymarked tracks through the fields for easier navigation. There is a section of road where walking requires care. 

It begins at Helmsley market square before venturing south, out of the town and into the countryside. Walkers then stroll through a field beside the River Rye before heading into Harome.

Passing a pub, the walk then veers north past a number of farms. Walkers then turn west into woodland, where there are hollows and footbridges, and fields before arriving back at Helmsley.

The walk also passes one ot the best pubs in the UK, the Star Inn in Harome which is houses in a 14th-century thatched cottage once used as a hostel by monks.

It was refurbished in the 1930s by local craftsman Robert “Mousey” Thompson and has been a pub ever since. It has been owned by Andrew Pern since 1996.

It came eighth on this year’s Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs list, although it has previously taken top spot on more than one occasion.

Diners are able to choose food from its extensive a la carte menu, while Pern also lays on extravagant tasting menus, with optional matched wines for each course.

Top 50 Gastro Pubs said: “Close your eyes to picture the perfect country pub and it’s likely you’ll see the Star Inn. A low, magical building situated in a quaint and quiet North Yorkshire village where the landlord knows the names of everyone.”