Duncombe Park
Stately mansion in important park, scattered with Classical temples and follies.
Helmsley, York, YO62 5EB
Facilities
-
Bike storage facilities
-
Easily accessible without car
-
Free parking
-
Garden only
-
Parkland / open spaces
- Guide or assistance dogs welcome
Duncombe Park has sweeping grass terraces, towering veteran trees, and classical temples.
It has been described by historian Christopher Hussey as ‘perhaps the most spectacularly beautiful among English landscape conceptions of the 18th century’.
Beside superb views over the Rye valley, visitors will discover woodland walks (including the ‘yew tunnel’), ornamental parterres, and a ‘secret garden’ at the Orangery.
The garden and surrounding parkland extend to 103 ha, and are designated a National Nature Reserve for the rare insects and fungi which thrive on the dead and dying limbs of ancient trees.
The house is closed to the public, but hosts weddings and events, while Duncombe Park is a home to the National Centre for Birds of Prey, an award-winning visitor attraction which houses the largest collection of birds of prey in the north of England.
Important information: opening info is generated by artificial intelligence; check specific attraction details before travelling.
The indicator above will show ‘open’ when the public have any kind of access to any part of this property. That could be the park, a shop, or a special event, and may not reflect regular admission times to the main attraction. Always consult the website of the house or garden you intend to visit before travelling to check that the attraction you are interested in is open.
Duncombe Park Terraces
Opening Season 2026: Monday 6th April – Monday 31st August
Opening Days: Open 6 days a week, closed Saturdays
Opening Hours: 10:30am – 5pm (last admission 4pm)
National Centre for Birds of Prey
Opening times for the National Centre for Birds of Prey are not specified on this page. For current opening hours and visitor information, please visit www.ncbp.co.uk
Historic Houses members visit the gardens and/or parkland for free.
Garden & Parkland
Adult: £6
Seniors: £5.50 (65+)
Child: £3 (4-16 years)
- Guide or assistance dogs welcome
Getting here
Helmsley, York, YO62 5EB
Entrance just off Helmsley Market Square, signposted from the A170 Thirsk–Scarborough road.
Regular 31 & 31X bus service from York railway station to Helmsley Market Place (15 minutes walk to admissions at the Parkland Centre).
Become a Historic Houses member
Explore the nation’s heritage from just £71 per year.
Hundreds of the most beautiful historic houses, castles, and gardens across Britain offer our members free entry.
Also: receive a quarterly magazine, enjoy monthly online lectures, get exclusive invitations to buy tickets for behind-the-scenes tours, and take up a range of special offers on holidays, books, and other products you might like.
