Travel review: North Yorkshire

With another hectic week at work and the weather getting ever so slightly better, it was the time of the year when an unwind and a relaxing weekend to get away from it all was needed. With a busy year already booked up, holiday from work is precious this year, so making the most of your weekends is a must.

So, after trying to get ahead in the office that week, and a sharp exit out the door on a Friday, we (my girlfriend and I) were soon on the M1, heading North, to the Yorkshire countryside.

Situated on the southern boundary of the North Yorkshire National Park, Helmsley still has a feel of a quaint little town out in the sticks. It even has the certificate to prove how great it is, winning the Great British High Street Awards, Market Town 2015. From previous trips to this part of the country, I wished this weekend was a week. With Whitby and Scarborough only another hour from here, and of course York on the way up, it seems like a great location to be based for a lot longer than a couple of days.

As we approached our destination, The Black Swan Hotel was lit up at the end of the road, all very welcoming. With a small car park at the front, and more spaces to the rear we were able to unload our cases and carry them to reception.

The exterior is a classic patchwork of buildings, tastefully merged together. Once a traditional coaching inn with a history dating back more than 500 years, The Black Swan is now a stylish boutique hotel.

After a swift check in, we went down for dinner. We were shown to the Cygnet Bar for a drink and a browse of the menu, before being directed to our table by our very attentive waiter (after I knocked the table and slightly spilled my pint, he was straight on it before I could look for a napkin. Yes, I know, can't take me anywhere).

We dined from the à la carte menu and soon realised we were in for a treat. An amuse-bouche of aubergine mousse, to whet our appetites, then beef fillet carpaccio with Whitby crab; Yorkshire spring lamb and sweetbread; and chestnut mont blanc with Madagascar vanilla parfait were in sight. All brilliant.

Feeling full, we sat in the bar for a night cap. Very homely and comfortable, with an open fire and comfy armchairs, we didn't want to go to bed.

On Saturday, after a satisfying breakfast, we explored the quaint market town further. The main town itself is based around a large square, now a car park, with pubs, shops, restaurants, and cafés surrounding it. Then more roads leading off this with some other shops, and more tea shops. I guess it gets pretty busy in the summer months, there were a lot of places to get a cake and a cuppa. And as the leaflet states, there is a butcher, a baker and even a candlestick maker among around 50 of the independent and specialist shops.

• Simon was a guest of Black Swan Hotel, Helmsley, where B&B rooms start at £155 per night. blackswan-helmsley.co.uk 01439 770466

• Yorkshire Outdoors who offer a range of off-road adventures www.yorkshire-outdoors.co.uk 01845 537766.

• Special offer – enjoy ‘A Bit of a Dish’. This includes: overnight accommodation in a classic bedroom, sweet treats and a glass of Champagne on arrival (in one of the lounges, bar or gardens), pre-dinner canapés, six-course tasting menu in the evening, full Yorkshire breakfast. From £249 per couple.

On to our next activity for the weekend, much to Emma's apprehensiveness, we were booked at Yorkshire Outdoors, just a short drive to Felixkirk. Offering a range of activities such as off-road driving, quad bike trekking and clay pigeon shooting, we, well I, had opted for the 4x4 experience. I had a very knowledgeable guide who went through how to get out of trouble safely and effectively, really putting the Land Rover Defender through its paces. Over the 50-acre site there were all sorts of challenges to overcome. I had an excellent experience, and I'm sure Emma did too, even though she said she was a little worried (or did she say petrified) on the steepest of inclines when we saw just sky.

Heading back to the hotel to get ready for dinner, we were excited to sample the six-course tasting menu in the Gallery restaurant. Heritage beetroot with goat's cheese curd and wasabi purée; Hand dive seared scallops with roe parfait; seared foie gras with Black Swan granola (really worked well and an excellent wine pairing, almost a dessert, sweet wine); red deer with Hereford snails; the biggest cheese board selection I have ever seen; and white chocolate parfait with treats inbetween with wine parings on every course. Amazing.

Sunday morning was wonderfully sunny so another walk around the picturesque town was in order, including English Heritage Helmsley Castle. All in all it was the perfect weekend, as I said before, the only problem is, it's a shame we can't stay in this part of the world for longer.