Nestled in the picturesque valley of Swaledale, Richmond is one of the most attractive towns in the UK thanks to its Georgian architecture. The town features a charming cobbled marketplace, which is surrounded by elegant 18th-century streets and buildings with a beautiful Gothic medieval church at its heart. Richmond has a plethora of independent shops and tempting eateries scattered throughout the town.
Every Saturday, the town hosts a weekly market where visitors can browse and purchase local produce, crafts and gifts. The town boasts several parks, green spaces, and leafy riverside vistas, which make it an ideal destination for walkers and a feature of the 192-mile long-distance Coast to Coast footpath which passes through the town.
The iconic Richmond Castle, built soon after the Norman Conquest, stands majestically atop a commanding position overlooking the valley. The Swale River drops down large steps of rock at Richmond Falls, a popular spot in summer and just one of the many points of interest to be enjoyed on one of the riverside walks for which Swaledale is much loved. Anglers can also take advantage of the fantastic banks of the Swale River, which offer opportunities to catch salmon and trout.
Richmond’s long military history continues at the neighbouring Catterick Garrison. The town is home to the Green Howards Regimental Museum, which showcases the history of the regiment of the same name, now part of the Yorkshire Regiment, based at Catterick.
Richmond provides an excellent base for exploring the Northern Yorkshire dales of Swaledale and Arkengarthdale. Each of these valleys boasts dramatic landscapes interwoven with a rich industrial history and majestic views that reward the determined walker willing to take on the local ascents.
The town is packed full of history and has a wealth of culture and heritage attractions to explore and discover. The handsome Georgian market town of Richmond is arguably one of the most attractive towns in the UK.
