St Helens in the Park
Owner Christopher Tedman
Open All year except mid-Jan to mid-Feb.
Reviewer Jos Simon
St Helens-in-the-Park (the ’park’ being the Wykeham estate of Lord and Lady Downe) lies in beautiful undulating country some six miles behind the North Yorkshire coastline.
Although the site is rather hilly, clever terracing has ensured that all but a handful of its 250 pitches are level. Many of the pitches are set on gravel, but during high season these are reserved for seasonal customers. The rest of the pitches are set on grass. All have electric
hook-up and some have their own water taps.
Facilities include a shop, games room, take-away, launderette and washing facilities. All are kept scrupulously clean, but some are just starting to show their age. A large playing field, a BMX track, and a well-executed adventure playground will appeal to children. And, at the right time of year, the abundant horse chestnut trees will provide plenty of conker-busting entertainment.
If you prefer to leave the kids at home, the section of pitches reserved for adults should appeal to those seeking peace and quiet. Security is good, with
a swipe-card and rising barrier system in operation, and the site is generally very well run.
Six miles away is stately Scarborough, with its castle, theatre, beaches, restaurants, pubs and town centre. Elsewhere lie the beauties of the North York Moors. closer to hand are numerous attractive villages that offer a variety of decent places to eat and drink. This is also excellent walking country, and there are many pleasant cycle routes to hand should you wish to explore on two wheels. The nearby Wykeham Lakes, which are part of the same estate, offer fishing and water-sports.
This quiet and understated site is ideal for families with children and for couples who want a peaceful base for exploring the area on foot, bicycle or by car. It’s also good for culture vultures who fancy seeing a play at Scarborough’s Stephen Joseph theatre.
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