Ryedale District Council have been running an experimental scheme for motorhomes to stay overnight, between the hours of 6.30pm and 9.00am, in the overflow car park at Cleveland Way in Helmsley. They plan to make the trial permanent and have launched a consultation to gain peoples' views. 

Working together for the benefit of residents, businesses and visitors Ryedale District Council, Helmsley In Business, Helmsley Town Council, North Yorkshire County Council and North York Moors National Park implemented a trial Free Motorhome parking in Helmsley's Cleveland Way overflow car park.  The trial has been running since June 2017 and towards the end of 2017 a consultation was launched to gauge opinion on its operation. 

The consultation has now closed. We await the results with interest and, of course, hope that this most welcome facility will be made permanent.

The current motorhome overnight parking scheme operates as follows.

Normal parking charges apply between the hours of 9.00am and 6.30pm. Large motorhomes can park in two adjacent bays, for which two pay and display tickets are required from 9am to 6:30pm, or parking in a coach / HGV bay, for which the appropriate charge must be paid during the daytime. Drivers will need to check the current rates for parking, it may be cheaper to pay for a coach/HGV bay than for 2 standard bays during the charging period.

Situated in the overflow section of the  long stay Cleveland Way car park, spaces were made available for up to six motorhomes free of charge from 6.30pm to 9am.

In practice there is room for many more than 6 motorhomes, this limit is not signed and there are no dedicated spaces marked. When UKMotorhomes.net visited in October there were at least 10 motorhomes staying overnight.

There are no specific facilities on the overflow car park but public toilets are available nearby.

Helmsley is a previous winner of the title of Britain’s Best Market Town. Situated on the edge of the North York Moors National Park, it’s ideally situated to make the most of the park’s stunning scenery, whilst still having a wealth of facilities close at hand. As well as being known for its many independent shops, boutiques and delis, it is also home to the National Centre for Birds of Prey, and a medieval castle and historic walled garden, which are both less than a minute’s walk from the car park.

The town is also famed for award-winning afternoon teas, fine dining, cosy pubs and proper Yorkshire fish and chips.

Carolyn Frank, member of the Helmsley in Business group which pushed for the spaces to be made available, said: “We’re delighted to now have six overnight motorhome parking spaces, which are totally free of charge between 6.30pm and 9am. Our aim is to make parking more flexible, affordable and practical for visitors – as a local business owner, we know how frustrating it can be for people who want to make more of their trip to the town, but feel like they have to rush off. With the introduction of the motorhome spaces, free coach parking and ‘pop in to shops’ 20 minute parking spaces in the town centre, hopefully we’re helping everyone to be able to find a way to stop and make the most of our lovely town.”

The town team which has achieved this is made up of all relevant local authorities, Helmsley Town Council, North Yorkshire County Council, Ryedale District Council and the North York Moors National Park as well as the Helmsley in Business Group.