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• Richmond Twinning Association has had links with Vinstra, in Nord-Fron Commune in Norway, for many years and has recently instituted a similar exchange process with St Aubin du Cormier in Brittany, France.

• There is an excellent series of historic plaques erected by Richmond and District Civic Society. The plaques are fixed to the relevant buildings marking significant figures and features in the town`s history. The Tourist Information Centre has a leaflet to guide you around them. The society also organises a series of lectures throughout the year that have an international as well as a local flavour.

• Richmond Town Council always marks the switching on of the Christmas lights provided by the Duck Club, early in December. Usually Father Christmas attends Friary Gardens and there are mince pies and punch for all in the Market Hall.

• Children can enjoy wide-open spaces close to the centre of Richmond in safety. Ronaldshay Park provides a large grassed area, with many things to try in the play area as well as a skate park. At the Fosse, below the castle, they can have fun in another play area complete with a mini trim trail and a zip wire.

• The original parish church was in the middle of the town, where the Green Howards Museum is now. Since there was no room for a burial ground a new one was built. This is the present parish church of St. Mary the Virgin, on Station Road. In 1858 the church was virtually rebuilt under the guidance of the famous architect, Sir Giles Gilbert Scott.

• ‘Richmond Live’ promotes local music throughout the year and, during the first weekend in August every year, holds a free open-air gig in a fabulous setting on The Batts.

• The Richmond Meet aims to “provide enjoyment and entertainment, including participation, for the citizens of, and visitors to the town and surrounding areas over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend. If funds are raised as a result, then these are to be distributed to local charitable organisations.” The Meet has recently reinstated the cyclists` meet, which will involve many cyclists throughout the northeast.

• September is the month of the walking festival, ten days filled with 30 guided walks throughout the Dales to suit every standard of walker. For those who prefer a cultural focus, a book festival will run simultaneously.

• Richmondshire Museum organises an interesting Winter Lecture Programme every year. The 5 lectures cover different aspects of local life, both historical and contemporary, and are held in the Town Hall, in itself a historic building.

• The ‘Old Hoss’ appears in Richmond `s market place every Christmas Eve morning. Originally a pagan creation,the decorated horse`s skull is accompanied by a team of huntsmen. He snaps his jaws as the huntsmen sing of his being a virile young creature who grows old and finally is killed. His resurrection completes the ritual, representing the passing of the old year and the beginning of the new.

• Millgate House has a superb award-winning garden which is open regularly to the public for a small donation to charity.

• The Swaledale Festival is an annual celebration of music, poetry, visual arts, walks, exhibitions and workshops. Performances take place in Richmond and throughout the Dales.

• Two streets in Richmond are particularly renowned for their Georgian architecture. Frenchgate and Newbiggin are prime examples of eighteenth century street layout complete with a cobbled road surface.

• In the Summer, Open Gardens abound: sometimes country gardens, sometimes town ones, sometimes for prizes, sometimes for charity. Everyone proudly shows the fruits of their hard work throughout the year, while locals and visitors enjoy viewing them.

• Mackenzie Thorpe, the renowned artist, started his career in Richmond. His square sheep pictures are now famous world wide.

• The voluntary sector can be accessed through the Richmondshire Council for Voluntary Services, which has an office situated in Flints Terrace.

• Richmond stages a spectacular firework display on November 5th every year. The castle grounds have previously been used for this event, but latterly it has been held on the racecourse, high above the town.

• Richmond can boast a market on almost every day of the week: indoor market, outdoor market, Farmers’ Market, French market, Christmas market and on Sundays, a craft market in the Market Hall.