There are two areas of Common Land in Helmsley registered by Helmsley Town Council.

Pinfold

At the junction of Carlton Road and Bondgate is the former Pinfold, now home to a bus shelter which was put up in 1966 by the then Helmsley Parish Council.

Pinfolds, also known as pounds, were erected to pen straying livestock which might otherwise cause damage to crops and property.

From medieval times most villages had a pinfold. Stray cattle, pigs, geese or other domestic livestock would have been driven into it and kept there until claimed by their owners, who usually had to pay a fine (paine) for their release. These animals might have broken free from their owners' enclosures or simply been infringing rights of common grazing. The person in charge of the pinfold was known as a pinder, appointed by the lord of the manor and later by the parish. He would keep the animals confined, feed and water them and collect the money due in fines, both for any damage the animals might have caused and for looking after them. If the livestock remained unclaimed it would then be taken to a local market and sold.