Darcy has settled in well and has been allowed out and about for 5 weeks now! This means ADVENTURES! Therefore I thought I’d start a new series about the adventures we’ve been on so far and share our findings with you all! It’s often difficult to plan a day out that works for our four legged friends as well as it does for us and often you need some insider knowledge to plan a truly brilliant outing for everyone.
So I thought I’d tell you about our first dog friendly adventure to Helmsley Walled Garden. Tucked round the back of Helmsley Castle (which is English Heritage so dogs can get in here too!) this walled garden is one of those little gems you simultaneously want to tell everybody about and keep to yourself!
Every part of it is beautifully planned and executed and every area has something different to delight! You start by the glass houses and work your way through beautiful borders, wildflower meadows, orchards, vegetables, chicken and bees, water features, you name it, this place has it!
It’s the most wonderful place to retreat to for contemplation and inspiration. I’ve never yet left the place without another plant that I’ve seen in situ here and just had to add to my own garden! (And the shop is very well priced, none of the extortion you usually see in places like this!)
The paths are well laid out, well maintained and, although I have no first hand experience, look to be easily accessible to push chairs and wheelchairs. There are plenty of benches dotted about for you to sit and take a moment to enjoy the surroundings (or have a rest if necessary).
They also have a gorgeous cafe in The Vine House. There’s plenty of outside seating, very comfortable, with umbrellas for shade. The lunch menu is served from midday to 3pm and, although I didn’t partake this time around, I will definitely be planning another trip soon because it all sounded fantastic!
We went for a scone for myself and a slice of chocolate cake for my mum to go with our tea. I have to say I was a bit disappointed when the scone arrived as there really didn’t seem to be enough jam but it was such beautifully sweet, tart, flavoursome jam that it worked wonderfully even with only a little bit! (I’m also a cream rather than butter girl but sometimes sacrifices must be made!) I specifically hadn’t chosen the chocolate as it looked a little dry… How wrong I was! It was divine! Beautifully moist and deeply chocolaty! I can’t wait to sample the other cakey offerings (which were plentiful!) it all looked so good that there will surely be something to tempt everyone!
(No, I don’t know how he sees out either but he doesn’t walk into walls so clearly it works!)
All in all a beautiful way to spend an afternoon. There’s plenty of parking in Helmsley on the market place and the longer stay car park (which is more convenient for the Walled Garden) and it’s not too dear either, I think you’ll want to allow yourself at least 2 hours for the garden and afternoon tea! The rest of the town is lovely too with several coffee shops allowing dogs in or at least with outside seating. Entrance to the garden is £6 (and you’ll want to complete a gift aid form ;o)
Anna in the kitchen 
A real treat to see this garden once more after having stumbled upon it many years ago. Must go back!