BLACK SWAN
Appealing Yorkshire inn set on a pretty market square.
IT’S HARD TO MISS THE BLACK SWAN as you sail into the Yorkshire market town of Helmsley.
Minutes from the north Yorkshire moors, this pleasing former coaching inn sits centre stage on the town square.
Once a rectory dating back to Tudor times, the Black Swan has that country-cosy feel – plenty of
Yorkshire stone, dark beams, cosy corners and cute teddy bears.
Just around the corner from its illustrious sister hotel the Feversham Arms, the Black Swan doesn’t pretend to be in quite the same chic boutique league. But a new round of refurbishment is turning this once rather dated duckling into
an altogether sleeker Swan, with appealing results.
Hit the spot
In the Yorkshire market town of Helmsley, near Whitby.
Bedtime
Go for a Feature room overlooking Helmsley’s market square for the max character. Newer Classic rooms in the garden wing are simpler but more secluded.
Be savvy
It’s traditional, rather than trendy.
Be smitten
Mellow market square charmer.
Corners and crannies
Parts of the creeper-clad Yorkshire stone inn are nearly 500 years old, and new wings added over the decades are linked by a trail of corridors, nooks and crannies. Forgotten something? It may be quite a trek back to reception.
Bedrooms – complete with cuddly teddy, and all named after the Yorkshire dales – vary in size and style, though all have plump pillows and comfy chairs. Those in the newer wing have pretty garden views, while those overlooking the old market square have the most
old-world charm, with beamed ceilings and crooked floors. Bathrooms are stocked with Pecksniff’s Mood Therapy goodies.
Downstairs, you can relax in a sofa-lined lounge with black beams and a cosy fire in winter. Time for tea? Get your fix in the Black Swan tearoom – all rustic panelled walls, wood floors and wickedly calorific cakes.
Nibble at some chocolate truffles or bite into a toasted teacake at this delicious little patisserie with its open fire.
All is crisply smart at the Black Swan’s
Rutland restaurant, with its linen-adorned tables, high-backed chairs and views over the garden. You’ll soon be able to have a post-dinner chaser in the new horseshoe shaped bar opening soon.
Outside are
the prettiest walled gardens – scattered with tables and chairs – and just the place for that shared jug of Pimm’s on a summer evening. And you can trot through the churchyard to the fabulous Verbena Spa at sister hotel the Feversham Arms for a pampering workover next day.
The Black Swan was reviewed by Tim Treyman
Click on any picture to enlarge it and move through the gallery.
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Dining in
Dine on fresh Yorkshire fare at the Black Swan’s Rutland restaurant, where chef Andrew Burton’s specialities include breast of
guinea fowl with Helmsley black pudding, local game and bavette of beef with Savoy cabbage.
Dining out
Book a table at sister hotel the Feversham Arms, a five minute walk away, whose smart restaurant offers some great game, shellfish and local farmhouse cheeses.
Where?
The Rutland restaurant at the Black Swan, Helmsley.
What’s cooking?
Try carpaccio of tuna to start, with braised pork cheek with bubble and squeak to follow. Round off with a zesty lemon curd tart or raspberry jelly.
Top table?
Overlooking the gardens in summer, or by the toasty fireside in winter.
See & Do
North Yorkshire has a wealth of attractions. Stroll to nearby Rievaulx Abbey or go walking on the moors and hop aboard the North Yorks Steam Railway to see some of the region’s finest national park scenery. Head for Robin Hood’s Bay on the coast and make room for a fish-and-chip lunch at Whitby. Racing fans can have a flutter at the Catterick, Wetherby or York races. The historic attractions of York are also within easy reach.
Shop
Helmsley has plenty of appealing little shops selling books, chocolates and home accessories. If you’re peckish, pop into the Cinnamon Twist bakery for some yummy pastries.
Spa
You’re just yards away from the Verbena Spa at sister hotel the Feversham Arms.
There’s a fully equipped heat experience – saunarium, aromatherapy room, rasul bath, salt vapour room, monsoon showers and ice cave. The GBP 25 per day user fee is refunded if you spend £50 or more on treatments.
Seven treatment rooms – one designed for side-by-side massage – invite you to be pummelled and preened. There’s also an outdoor heated pool and hot tub, relaxation room with terrace, spa-tisserie and juice bar.
After dark
Have a cocktail in the bar, cosy up by one of the lounge fires in winter or go for a moonlit walk through Helmsley.
Dates
May
Celebrity chefs take to the stage at Castle Howard’s annual food festival at Ryedale. There’s also a Christmas fair in December.
Summer months
Open air concerts are staged at nearby Dalby Forest.
August
There’s music, dance at theatre at the Helmsley Arts festival.
GETTING THERE
Location
Market Place, Helmsley, Yorkshire YO62 5BJ
Parking
There is free parking at the rear of the Inn.
Trains
York station – 27 miles. You can also take a bus from Scarborough to the centre of Helmsley – a very pretty ride.
Taxis
GBP 35 from York.
Airport
Leeds-Bradford (36 miles) or Teesside (23 miles).
Rooms and suites
45 rooms and suites
Special features
Newer Classic rooms are located in the garden wing, while Feature rooms with period features overlook the market square. All have a hospitality tray, Pecksniff’s Mood Therapy toiletries and internet access.
Also…
The four roomy Superior rooms are family friendly – just in case you have little ones in tow.
ESSENTIAL INFO
Rates guide
GBP 100-240
Open/closed
Open all year.
Check in
14:00
Check out
11:00
Minimum night stay?
No
Breakfast
Buffet breakfast is served until 9:45 on weekdays, 10:00 at weekends.
Room service
Available 24 hours.
Children
Welcome
Pets
Welcome, at GBP 10 each.
Air conditioning
No.
Wedding license?
Cilvil weddings and receptions with up to 150 guests can be catered for, and you wont have to hire the whole hotel.