Easy hikes and walks around Upper Helmsley

The oldest surviving cast-iron railway bridge of its kind in Britain, dating back to 1847. - The last train crossed the viaduct on 27 November 1965, after which the line was closed and the structure fell into disuse. By 1991, its condition had deteriorated so badly that East Yorkshire Borough Council planned to demolish it, estimating costs at £60,000. Thanks to local protests and rail heritage campaigners, the demolition was halted. The viaduct was restored and now forms part of the Sustrans National Cycle Network, preserving its legacy for public enjoyment.

Go into the village and visit the whiskyshop.

Howsham Mill, attributed to John Carr of York, is a well-preserved example of an 18th-century watermill. The mill uses both a restored waterwheel and Archimedes screw to generate electricity, providing a sustainable energy solution for the local area, and the site is part of a larger effort to promote environmental awareness and education, showcasing how renewable energy can be implemented in a historical setting.

In the 12th century there was already a church on this site, which was largely replaced by a new church in the 15th century. An old pillar survives in an archway next to the organ, and the old south door and its archway are also still there, although they have been relocated. Much of the choir, with the east window, the piscina and the sedilia, remains of the 15th century church.

The current Howsham Mill is on the site of an earlier mill built in 1755 that milled flour for the Howsham Estate for almost 200 years. The mill fell into ruins in the mid 1900s before being picked up by the Renewable Heritage Trust and restored to all its glory in 2006. Today, the mill is an events space, environmental education centre and produces energy in the form of hydroelectricity.

This impressive old railway viaduct that spans over the River Derwent is built from beautiful red brick and consists of 15 arches. Once a vital link for the railway connecting York and Market Weighton, this structure stands as the largest remaining remnant of that historic railway line. Today, it has transformed into a tranquil and traffic-free crossing, offering a picturesque vantage point to admire the waterway below.

The magnificent All Saints Church, set in the countryside between Huntington and New Earswick, standson a site that has been some form of Christian place of worship for the past 1,000 years. It's a striking building, boasting beautiful Perpendicular Gothic architecture. Admire its beauty from the outside, or walk inside and discover its equally impressive interior.

An interesting spot here: a weir on the River Derwent, with Howsham Mill on the opposite bank of the river. The 18th century Howsham Mill had previously fallen into disrepair, but has now been restored.