Duncombe Park

Duncombe Park is another privately owned stately home. Situated just outside of the market town of Helmsley the Park is the home of the Duncombe family. As a working estate, the opening times of Duncombe Park are a little different to the other homes, so it easy to check the schedule on the website to be sure they are open.

The Park operates a series of events all year round, including a spectacular steam rally each summer, mountain bike trails and triathlons for the athletic amongst us, before finishing each year with a Christmas fair and the sale of Christmas Trees grown on the estate.

One of the most important attractions to Duncombe Park is the International Centre of Birds of Prey. Opened in 2013, the centre allows visitors to see the beautiful collection of birds flying free each day, all year round.

The centre’s expert guides give an informative commentary of the birds as they fly and hunt for food on a lure each day. The relationship between keepers and birds is quite exceptional, with the birds free to fly without tethers, the lure of a good food supply keeping them from departing. The centre is a superb park of the Park and well worth visiting to see the stunningly beautiful birds in action.

A great way to schedule a visit to Duncombe is to co-incide it with market day in Helmsley. The Park is just one mile from the town, so a combined visit to both places is a great way to enjoy North Yorkshire.

Image copyright Mick Garratt   Creative Commons license.