Richmond is a lovely historic town in Swaledale, one of the most fascinating of the Yorkshire Dales. Not to be confused with its many namesakes — this is the original, perched above a bend in the River Swale.
Its history goes back a long way. The castle, commenced by William Rufus in 1071, dominates the town from its hilltop position. A short walk along the river brings you to Easby Abbey, founded in 1152. The town also has a beautifully restored Georgian theatre, one of the oldest in the country.
At the heart of Richmond is a large cobbled market square where an open market is held on Saturdays. The narrow streets radiating out from it are full of independent shops and tea rooms.