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There are at least fifty-seven settlements worldwide called Richmond but the handsome market town of Richmond in North Yorkshire has the proud claim of being the oldest, having been founded by the newly-arrived Normans only five years after the Conquest and named `RICHE-MONT`- the strong hill. Several of the street names in Richmond - Frenchgate, Lombards Wynd, Maison Dieu - evoke this early settlement.

The heart of Richmond is still overlooked by the imposing castle, begun in stone on a bluff high above the River Swale by the first Count of Richmond, Alan Rufus, in 1071. Modern-day Richmond is centred on the enormous cobbled market-place, whose boundaries mark the lines of the original outer bailey[courtyard] walls of the castle. Looking around the sweeping market-place facades, one sees a rich variety and individuality of building styles, which somehow mingle together to produce a pleasing harmony - from the looming medieval castle keep and 12th Century Holy Trinity church (now the Green Howards Museum), situated as if on an island in the midst of the vast, open market place; past elegant Georgian frontages such as the King’s Head Hotel and the Town Hall; to Victorian and early twentieth century shop-fronts, inns and offices.

A short walk around the castle via Castle Walk reveals the spectacular positioning (and thus the reason for the name) of the castle, with the fast-flowing River Swale sweeping around two sides of the site in the steep wooded valley below. The castle was never attacked and, looking up at its high walls above the sheer valley sides, one can see why. A clockwise stroll around Castle Walk also allows views out over other interesting features of the town: the natural stone step of the waterfall known as The Fosse; the eighteenth century Green Bridge; the charming houses clustered around The Green; Culloden Tower, a folly built in 1746 to celebrate the last battle fought in the Jacobite Rebellion, and the jumbled roofscapes to the west of the town centre, just before one re-enters the market place.

After crossing the market place, past the 18th century obelisk which replaced the medieval market cross, one reaches the narrow alleyway known as Friar`s Wynd. This passage was the thoroughfare for a chapter of Dominican monks to reach their monastery, which was on the site of Friary Gardens and Friary Tower, all that remains of their foundation. Half way down Friars Wynd can be found one of the two remaining gateways through the town wall and beyond this gateway is the remarkable and unique Georgian Theatre.

Museums

The town also boasts several interesting museums. The Richmondshire Museum in Ryder’s Wynd displays a variety of artefacts associated with the history of the area, such as lead mining in Swaledale, rural life and the development of Richmond. It also contains the James Herriot vet`s surgery set used in the original BBC series, besides an extensive local history library and research facility, making it well worth a visit.

The medieval church building in the middle of the market place, Holy Trinity Chapel, houses The Green Howards Museum. Richmond was the garrison town for the local Green Howards Regiment, which amalgamated with other Yorkshire regiments to form The Regiment of Yorkshire in 2006. Exhibits cover the eventful 300 year history of the regiment and the British Army and it has an outstanding display of medals, including a collection of Victoria Crosses won by members of the regiment. A recent refurbishment of the ground floor will provide visitors with a new shop/reception area, a children`s interactive section, a family/military history research base and an impressive military Landrover tableau.

The Castle

The castle itself has always been the most distinctive feature of the town. The climb to the top of the stark, powerful keep is rewarded by panoramic views over the town, lower Swaledale and towards the North Yorkshire Moors. The castle houses an English Heritage Visitors’ Centre, recounting the history of the castle and in particular the poignant story of a group of conscientious objectors, imprisoned for their beliefs in cells below the keep during the First World War. A lovely new garden to commemorate them has been created in the cockpit area of the castle. The bailey inside the castle is also the scene of historical enactments throughout the Summer months

Walks galore

Richmond is a perfect place to wander around, with all sorts of interesting nooks and crannies as well as a variety of open spaces and public gardens within easy walking distance of the town centre. One can stroll around the outside of the castle walls, visit Ronaldshay Park which is excellent for children, admire the floral displays in Friary Gardens or spend some time on The Batts, a large swathe of open grassland beside the river, long enjoyed for recreation by Richmond residents and visitors alike.

The walk to Easby Abbey is a firm favourite for residents and visitors and much loved by dog owners. It follows the old railway line for about a mile until the abbey itself and St Agatha`s Church are in sight. There are several ways of returning to Richmond, following either of the river banks.

From Green Bridge you can walk towards Billy Banks Wood and Round Howe, following the River Swale in the opposite direction from Easby.

If you fancy a route with breezy open spaces with extensive views across the Vale of York, then go up to Richmond racecourse where you can also see the remains of the Georgian grandstand and the starting post. This is an easy but invigorating walk. Occasionally you will see horses training on the circuit there.

Another enjoyable walk from the town is the walk to Willance`s leap. The walk is about 11 kms(7 miles) long and will reward you with glorious views of the surrounding countryside.

There are excellent leaflets at the Tourist Information Centre to guide you through each of these walks.

Of course Richmond is the Gateway to Swaledale---wonderful walking country. If you prefer to stay in town then you can enjoy guided walks of Richmond, the Town trail, a ghost walk or a pub walk

Some might like to follow in the footsteps of the Drummer Boy or even Turner, the artist.

Robert Willance -

was a citizen of Richmond in the late 16th/early 17th Century. While out hunting one day in winter 1606, he became disorientated in the fog and his horse plunged over the precipitous high cliffs that flank the Swale valley some two miles upstream of Richmond. His miraculous survival has become a local legend….how he managed to stay alive, though badly injured and through the depths of a bitterly cold winter’s night, by putting his shattered leg inside the carcass of his dead horse until rescued the next day …..how his leg, having had to be amputated, was placed inside his tomb in Richmond churchyard until it was reunited with the rest of his body after his death in 1616. The place of his fall has ever since been known as Willance’s Leap.