The Stick Man

WHERE TO FIND US

We are located in the first craft workshop behind Helmsley Castle. Follow signs to "The Walled Garden" from the Car Park or follow the directions using the photographs below.

Shop opening times: April to September
Monday to Friday, 10am - 12, 1pm - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 12, 1pm - 3pm
Closed every Sunday

It is always best to check by 'phone or e-mail before visiting, in case we're at a show or demonstrating somewhere - or just having a day off!

October to March
We are no longer operating regular opening hours at the workshop during winter but generally close all day Sunday as well as most Tuesdays and often Saturday afternoons.

We get few visitors to the shop outside the 'tourist season' and since most of our customers purchase online we don't need to be in all day. We will normally be in the workshop each day but it could be early morning or late evening - or both! We process online orders within 24 hours of receiving them and usually get things packed and posted the same day - unless we have to make them first!

I'm often out in the woods during the day in winter but you can try my mobile phone if you really need me - it doesn't always get a signal in the woods but you can send a text and I'll get back to you. Don't phone after 7pm please!

UK telephone 01439 771450 (shop opening hours, as above)

Please use E-mail if you can - answering the phone takes up a lot of our time and stops us making sticks!

++44 1439 771450 international

Mobile and text 0790 1717853

Click here for E-mail

Mail order address and workshop:
The Stick Man, Helmsley Walled Garden, Cleveland Way, Helmsley, York YO62 5AH

DIRECTIONS TO FIND THE WORKSHOP FROM THE MARKET PLACE IN HELMSLEY:

If you are on foot you can walk towards the castle and see the ruined keep from the inside (this is probably the most photographed bit of Helmsley) then go along the path to the right and past the Long Stay car park. From the car park, follow the signs for the Walled Garden. Walk along the path to the right of the old gateway that leads around the outside of the castle wall.

To see map click the following link:

http://www.multimap.com/s/PE6GCSa4

You'll pass the new entrance and visitor centre and as you enter the picnic area look to your left and you get this stunning view of what remains of the castle keep. It was blown apart by the Parliamentarian army after the siege of the castle during the English Civil War. It was packed with gunpowder and destroyed so it could never be used as a fortress again - it certainly worked! Pass the picnic area and you will find more signs for the Walled Garden and Craft Workshops. It will take you about 7 minutes to walk from the car park in the town square, or two to three minutes from the Long Stay car park off Cleveland Way.

By car, at the top of the Market Place turn left in front of the Black Swan Hotel then take a right by the church. Turn left opposite the Feversham Arms into Cleveland Way. You pass the little Dolls House shop on your left and the Ryeburn Icecream Parlour (well worth a visit!!) on your right. Cleveland Way becomes a stone track in front of you - the public car parks are on your left. You will have to "Pay and Display" in here and walk a short distance to my shop.

Disabled drivers and those who find it difficult to walk far or have items to collect may use the private car park outside my shop free of charge for short periods - access is down the stone track at the public car park entrance. Follow the arrow to the right on the round sign for "Walled Garden Disabled access". If you follow the arrow left for "Cars" you will end up in the overflow car park and have to pay!

You pass this huge stone with an acorn engraved on it - this is the start of the Cleveland Way long distance footpath. You would be amazed at how many walkers manage to miss this thing and end up in my shop to ask for directions. My usual reply is "If you can't find the start - how on earth will you find the finish!"

The track is popular with local dog walkers as well as serious walkers - drive slowly!

After about 100 metres you come to a left fork signposted for the Walled Garden - follow the sign or you will end up in a dead end and have a lot of reversing to do!

Here is the entrance to the shops - The Stick Man is the first shop you'll see - entrance on the left. The Walled Garden entrance is 50 yards to the right.

Disabled parking is available here and in the larger car park at the Walled Garden itself. You don't have to be disabled to park here if you are coming to collect things from the shop or attending a class. In summer, parking is often difficult during the middle of the day.

Some of the sticks on display in the shop. There are usually between 50 and 100 at any one time - though this does vary. One year there were only seven - yes seven - left by Christmas Eve!

Some more sticks on display in the shop.
I offer one day stick-making classes from £95 per person (maximum three people per class). Make a complete stick in a day and take it home with you. All tools and materials are supplied, as is lunch and refreshments. No experience is needed. Accommodation in Helmsley is often limited so book early! The Carlton Lodge Hotel http://www.carlton-lodge.com is highly recommended (Ask for Stick Man discounted rates). If it will help you, I may be able to arrange the booking for you. There is a lot to see and do in and around Helmsley so please allow yourself extra days for sightseeing and shopping!

More sticks and some photo's on the shop wall showing just a few of the sticks made in previous years.

The Stick Man on his stall at a country show.

Most of the stock of sticks, plus all the stickmaking components, are offered for sale at shows. Orders for carved sticks and bookings for stickmaking classes can also be taken.

If you want a stall like this I got mine from Nichol Industries and I can recommend them for their products and after-sales services.

Index page

See North Yorkshire moorland and more views of Helmsley.

The stall was extended in 2007 by purchasing extra framework and bigger sheets - we now have the option of using the original 10' x 10' stall or the bigger 10' x 15'

	DIRECTIONS TO FIND THE WORKSHOP FROM THE MARKET PLACE IN HELMSLEY: If you are on foot you can walk towards the castle and see the ruined keep from the inside (this is probably the most photographed bit of Helmsley) then go along the path to the right and past the Long Stay car park. From the car park, follow the signs for the Walled Garden. Walk along the path to the right of the old gateway that leads around the outside of the castle wall. To see map click the following link: http://www.multimap.com/s/PE6GCSa4
	You'll pass the new entrance and visitor centre and as you enter the picnic area look to your left and you get this stunning view of what remains of the castle keep. It was blown apart by the Parliamentarian army after the siege of the castle during the English Civil War. It was packed with gunpowder and destroyed so it could never be used as a fortress again - it certainly worked! Pass the picnic area and you will find more signs for the Walled Garden and Craft Workshops. It will take you about 7 minutes to walk from the car park in the town square, or two to three minutes from the Long Stay car park off Cleveland Way.
	By car, at the top of the Market Place turn left in front of the Black Swan Hotel then take a right by the church. Turn left opposite the Feversham Arms into Cleveland Way. You pass the little Dolls House shop on your left and the Ryeburn Icecream Parlour (well worth a visit!!) on your right. Cleveland Way becomes a stone track in front of you - the public car parks are on your left. You will have to "Pay and Display" in here and walk a short distance to my shop.
	Disabled drivers and those who find it difficult to walk far or have items to collect may use the private car park outside my shop free of charge for short periods - access is down the stone track at the public car park entrance. Follow the arrow to the right on the round sign for "Walled Garden Disabled access". If you follow the arrow left for "Cars" you will end up in the overflow car park and have to pay!
	You pass this huge stone with an acorn engraved on it - this is the start of the Cleveland Way long distance footpath. You would be amazed at how many walkers manage to miss this thing and end up in my shop to ask for directions. My usual reply is "If you can't find the start - how on earth will you find the finish!"
	The track is popular with local dog walkers as well as serious walkers - drive slowly!
	After about 100 metres you come to a left fork signposted for the Walled Garden - follow the sign or you will end up in a dead end and have a lot of reversing to do!
	Here is the entrance to the shops - The Stick Man is the first shop you'll see - entrance on the left. The Walled Garden entrance is 50 yards to the right. Disabled parking is available here and in the larger car park at the Walled Garden itself. You don't have to be disabled to park here if you are coming to collect things from the shop or attending a class. In summer, parking is often difficult during the middle of the day.
	Some of the sticks on display in the shop. There are usually between 50 and 100 at any one time - though this does vary. One year there were only seven - yes seven - left by Christmas Eve!
	Some more sticks on display in the shop. I offer one day stick-making classes from £95 per person (maximum three people per class). Make a complete stick in a day and take it home with you. All tools and materials are supplied, as is lunch and refreshments. No experience is needed. Accommodation in Helmsley is often limited so book early! The Carlton Lodge Hotel http://www.carlton-lodge.com is highly recommended (Ask for Stick Man discounted rates). If it will help you, I may be able to arrange the booking for you. There is a lot to see and do in and around Helmsley so please allow yourself extra days for sightseeing and shopping!