Duncombe Park, Helmsley, England

The following is from the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest.

Pleasure grounds of around 1718-30 with a curving terrace, blocks of woodland with curving paths leading through them and a serpentine ha-ha which have been described as 'a landmark in the development of the English natural style (Jellicoe et al 1986). The park was probably created in the early 18th century and early to mid-19th century partially on the site of a medieval deer park associated with Helmsley Castle.

LOCATION, AREA, BOUNDARIES, LANDFORM, SETTING

Duncombe Park lies immediately south-west of Helmsley. The roughly 285 hectare site is on land in the valley of the River Rye which enters the south-west side of the site and runs north-east before circling around to the west and curving again to the north-east. The land rises to an escarpment on the western edge of the valley which follows the line of the river. The western side of the registered area is a plateau which rises slightly to the north. Walls and fences divide the site from agricultural land, while the precincts of Helmsley Castle divide the site from the town of Helmsley.

REFERENCES Used by English Heritage

N Pevsner, The Buildings of England: Yorkshire The North Riding (1966), pp 139-42

C Hussey, English Gardens and Landscapes (1967), pp 140-6

G & S Jellicoe et al, The Oxford Companion to Gardens (1986), p 149

The Rievaulx Terrace, guidebook, (National Trust 1992)

Duncombe Park, guidebook, (Lord Feversham 1994)

Helmsley Walled Garden Restoration Project, guidebook, (no date, around 1998)

Maps

T Jefferys, County Map, 1771

OS 6" to 1 mile: 1st edition published 1856

Additional information from Mark Sayers
 

Description written: November 1998

Amended: March 1999

Edited: October 1999