Overview

Explore the market town

Richmond, especially on a summer's evening, certainly has a slightly "continental" feel: Prince Charles compared the town centre to Siena, with its beautiful cobbled square, interesting architecture, and meandering alleyways and surprise views around every corner.

Visitors to this small market town are spoiled for things to do.

History & Culture

Re-live Local History

The Richmondshire Museum offers a very well presented local and social history of the area. The building appears small on the outside but is a veritable 'Tardis' once entered, with a wide range of objects on display from the Stone Age to the present day.

The Green Howards Museum showcases the history of the local regiment (now merged into the Yorkshire Regiment).

Built in 1788, The Georgian Theatre Royal is the oldest working theatre in the country still in its original form: the theatre runs regular 'back-stage' guided tours and hosts a varied programme of live performances throughout the year to suit all tastes and interests.

Out & About

Explore the beautiful surroundings

Richmond's skyline is dominated by the 12th century keep of the Norman castle, one of the best preserved in the country. Visitors may climb to the top to get views in every direction.

About a mile from the town, Easby Abbey may be reached by walking along the former railway line. Start and finish with a stop off at the former Station – a destination in its own right with gallery, ice-cream maker, micro-brewery, shop, artisan bakery, 3-screen cinema and café/restaurant.

Beautiful walks start from Richmond itself, and as you leave the town to the west, you travel into the Yorkshire Dales. Richmond lies at the foot of the valley of Swaledale, one of the most beautiful of Yorkshire's dales and Wainwright's coast-to-coast walk passes through the town.

Local Shopping

Where to Shop In Richmond

Richmond's shopping offer is full of quirky, independent retailers, catering to the everyday needs of locals and visitors, as well as shops where more special things may be purchased.

Local greengrocer "Neeps and Tatties" is run by a husband and wife team, often assisted by their children. Chocolatier "Mocha", another husband and wife team, produce their own award winning confectionary. There are high quality homeware shops, such as "King Street Kitchen and Gift", and antique shops big ("York House") and small ("Bar Antiques"). Richmond still retains a popular independent bookseller: "Castle Hill Bookshop".

Finkle Street has three art galleries, including “The Showcase Gallery”, dedicated to exhibiting and selling work from artists based in Yorkshire and the North East.

Mick, owner of “Angus Morton” butchers has more than 40 years in the trade and he sells only meat born and raised in the UK. “Wilfred’s Deli and Pantry” is located a few doors away offering a range of cheeses, freshly cooked foods to take away, wines and other treats.

Every Saturday there is a market, bringing fruit, vegetables, meats, fresh fish, cheese, jams and honeys, and other stall holders. A farmers' market is held once a month, with lots of local, high quality foods on sale. There is also an indoor market, open daily, with a variety of stalls.

Richmond has two-hour disc parking in the market place (which encourages shoppers to come to the town centre for short visits), as well as pay and display car parks just a few minutes' walk from the centre.

Just outside the centre is Richmond Station, which has local ice cream, the "Richmond Brewery Company", as well as the famous "Angel’s Share" bakery.

Up the hill on Richmond trading estate are pet shops, furniture shops, bicycle shops, picture framing, florists, and more.

Places to Stay

A wide variety of hotels, bed and breakfasts and holiday cottages, including Garden Cottage and The Old Cello Workshop, where dogs are made welcome, provide a choice of good accommodation options.

Very close to the town are several caravan sites, as well as eco-lodges.

Things to do

In its compact town centre, Richmond boasts an impressive number of pubs, cafes and restaurants.

Five minutes' walk from the town centre is the converted Richmond Station, which now houses local artisan food and drink producers (the "Angel Share" bakery was a runner up in Britain's Best Bakery), as well as a cafe/restaurant, gallery space and three screen cinema.

Richmond offers fantastic opportunities for those who like outdoor activities, with the town and surrounding areas boasting great running, cycling and walking routes.