There are dozens of Richmonds around the world, but the one in North Yorkshire came first. Founded in the 11th century and the namesake for 105 other places, this compact market town sits roughly halfway between Leeds and Newcastle upon Tyne, and it packs in an unusual amount of history for its size.
The anchor is Richmond Castle, one of the best-preserved early Norman castles in England, built within a few years of the 1066 conquest. Its 100-foot keep rises above a limestone gorge on the River Swale, one of the country's fastest-flowing rivers. You don't need to be a hardcore hiker to enjoy the water: the easy Castle Walk traces the outer walls with benches positioned for views over the river, and the 3.4-mile Easby Loop follows a disused railway line along the water to the ruins of Easby Abbey. The abbey, founded in 1152 and partially demolished in the 1530s, is free to enter, open daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and once inspired paintings by J.M.W. Turner. Longer-distance walkers can use Richmond as a stop on either the 190-mile Coast to Coast or the 80-mile Swale Way.
Richmond's market square is one of the largest historic marketplaces in England, ringed by Georgian buildings. The outdoor market runs Wednesdays and Saturdays, with Saturday the main event for produce, crafts and flowers. From May to November, a twilight market with live music takes over on the last Saturday of the month, and an artisans' market pops up on the third Sunday. The indoor market, housed in a Victorian building, sells vintage pieces and crafts and doubles as the town's information centre, where you can pick up free walking maps.
Two cultural stops are worth building a day around. The Station, a former Victorian railway terminus with glazed roofing and ornate ironwork, now holds an independent cinema, art gallery, restaurants and shops. And the Georgian Theatre Royal, built in 1788, is billed as Britain's most complete Georgian playhouse — it even preserves one of the oldest stage sets in the UK. Backstage tours run hourly from February to October, or you can catch an actual performance.
If you want local insight, free 75-minute guided walks depart on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings (book ahead in winter; donations welcome).
Practically speaking, Richmond works as either a day trip or an overnight stop on a northern England itinerary. It's about an hour's drive from Newcastle and slightly more from Leeds, both of which have international airports. Car-free travellers are fine too: Darlington station, 25 minutes away, sits on the East Coast main line between London and Edinburgh, with a regular bus connection to town. A car does open up the Yorkshire Dales National Park, just 30 minutes away.
For anyone who likes their history walkable, their markets lively and their river views earned on foot rather than from a coach window, Richmond is one of Yorkshire's most rewarding small towns — and far quieter than the region's headline attractions.
Story via Islands.
