Attractions and landmarks

The Georgian Theatre Experience reveals the fascinating secrets of this, the UK’s oldest working theatre in its original form, and gives a unique insight into life in 18th century England.

Guided tours explore every inch of the building, and visitors get to see behind the scenes as well as tread the boards of the historic stage itself. There is also an interactive exhibition area where you can find out more about the intriguing (and sometimes unhygienic!) behaviours of Georgian audiences, as well as the lives of the actors themselves.

This wonderful building is not just a historic novelty, it is a live entertainment venue, offering a unique and intimate theatrical experience with a year-round programme of shows and events.

Richmond Castle is the best-preserved example of an early Norman castle in England.

The building of the castle as a military stronghold in the North began in 1071 on land gifted to Alan the Red of Brittany (Alan Rufus) by his kinsman William the Conqueror. This was reward for his part in the victory over King Harold, and his subsequent support of William as one of his most trusted advisers. It was expanded in the 12th century by his great-nephew Conan, who built the impressive 100ft keep. By 1540, the castle was derelict ,but in later centuries it became a popular tourist destination. During the First World War it was used as a prison for conscientious objectors, including the Richmond Sixteen.

Visitors can climb the keep for breathtaking 360 degree views of the town and surrounding area, as well as explore the outer walls, gardens and exhibition centre.

The Darlington to Stockton Railway was opened in 1825 and extended in 1846 to Richmond. Over the decades, tourists, soldiers, farm produce, coal, flagstones, cattle, sheep and horses came and went, but the station eventually closed in 1969, and became a garden centre until 2001.

Since then, thanks to hundreds of volunteers and donors, the magnificent Victorian building has been sympathetically restored, and was reborn as The Station in 2007.

Inside you'll find a café–restaurant, a micro-brewery, an award-winning bakery, an ice-cream maker and The Shop, selling a range of hand-made crafts. The walls are hung with an ever-changing collection of art, for sale or simply for admiration. There are regular activities such as language classes, singing and Pilates, plus meeting rooms for hire.

Another surprise: most small towns don't have a cinema, but Richmond has the thriving three-screen Station Cinema, showing all the latest releases, plus art-house movies and live-streams of concerts and theatre productions. A great way to spend a rainy afternoon!

The Station is on the Coast to Coast route, and makes an ideal start, finish or mid-way stopping-off point for a range of riverside walks, particularly the Easby Loop.

Enjoying a peaceful riverside location just outside Richmond, the Abbey can be reached via footpaths from The Station - the popular Easby Loop - or by road. Entry to the site is free. There is a small parking area nearby, but it fills up fast.

Founded in 1152, the Abbey is one of the best preserved monasteries of the Premonstratensian 'white canons', so called because of their white habits. The Abbey was suppressed in 1536 and within two years most of its buildings had been stripped and demolished. A magnificent refectory, gatehouse and canons' dormitory remain and the ruins later became a favourite subject for artists, including JMW Turner.

The parish church of St Agatha lies within the precinct, and contains rare 13th century wall paintings. There is also a plaster replica of the carved stone Easby Cross. The original, which dates from the late 7th or early 8th century, is now in the Victoria and Albert Museum.

In Georgian times, this was the place to promenade and be seen. Today it is equally popular with townsfolk taking time out in their lunch hour or visitors seeking a bird's eye view of the River Swale and the surrounding countryside. Frequently placed benches make welcome spots to catch the sun and admire the leafy vistas. You can find one of the entrances to Castle Walk on Castle Hill, and the other off Millgate.

Built in the grounds of Yorke House (demolished in 1823), crowning the hill above The Green, Culloden Tower is a much-admired town landmark.

Built in 1746 by John Yorke, a Richmond MP, it was originally called the Cumberland Temple, and was built to celebrate the victory of the Duke of Cumberland's army over Bonnie Prince Charlie at Culloden Moor in April of that year.

There had been a pele tower, called Hudswell's Tower, on the same site, which stood there from the 14th to the 17th century.

Culloden Tower is now owned by The Landmark Trust, which renovated it to its original Rococo–Gothic and Classical styles, and which now rents it out as holiday accommodation. You don't need to be a member of the Trust to stay there, but be warned: it's one of the Trust's most popular properties. 

This is one of the most photographed spots in Richmond. Also known as Station Bridge, it is the main crossing point between the town and the parish of St Martin's, and provides a direct walking route to The Station and a vehicular route to Catterick.

The bridge's partial collapse in 2000 was a reminder of the powerful effects of the River Swale - reputedly England's fastest flowing river. On the weekend of 3-4 June, after heavy rainfall, the swollen river partly swept away the base of the central pier. This popular landmark has now been completely restored.

This is a lovely place in the centre of town to sit and watch the world go by. The gardens contain the town’s war memorial and a 15th century bell tower.

Built by the Greyfriars of Richmond, the tower is the northernmost surviving monument to their great, if short-lived, impact upon the religious and social life of England. The site is unique in that so much of the structure has survived. The Greyfriars would purposefully base themselves near centres of population, but their proximity to urban locations meant their buildings often fell foul to stone-robbing during and after the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the mid 16th century.

A little-known fact: part of the Friary Gardens is known as Tittybottle Park.

This is the largest market place in England, and was once the outer bailey of the castle. In 1771, Matthew and Mark Topham were paid sixpence a square yard to find stones and re-cobble the area - an amazing feat! 

Today, the Market Place is encircled with fine buildings and a vibrant collection of shops and eateries. The Bishop Blaize Inn was at the centre of Richmond's bygone knitting industry. The first stockings made here are said to have been given to Elizabeth I in 1560. The King's Head Hotel is a fine example of the grand Georgian style. It was built in 1718 as a town house for Charles Bathurst, a wealthy lead mine owner. He moved to York two years later, and it has been an inn or hotel ever since. Franz Liszt gave a piano recital there in 1841.

In the centre of the Market Place is Trinity Church, which once had shops behind the arched windows on the north side. It is now home to the popular Green Howards Museum. To its right is the Obelisk which replaced the Market Cross in 1771, when a water reservoir was excavated underneath.

The Town Hall was built in 1756 as an Assembly Room for the busy social season that existed in Richmond during the Georgian period. It has a splendidly restored Georgian courtroom, from a time when the Mayor was one of the most senior judicial figures in the North of England. The Town Council still meets in the impressive Council Chamber, and the Town Hall plays an important part in the social life of the town.

Down the hill is the Victorian Market Hall, which is open daily and houses a range of stalls, as well as Richmond Information Centre. 

The Market Place hosts a bustling outdoor market on Saturday, with a smaller market on Wednesday, and occasional artisan markets on Sundays. 

Richmond Racecourse was last used for horse racing in 1891. The grandstand, believed to have been designed by John Carr of York, is the oldest surviving stone-built public grandstand in the world, but is sadly delapidated.

The course was oval in shape and ran for 1.5 miles (2.4 km) with the grandstand in the middle at the west end. The course was closed after a decision by the Jockey Club that one of the turns was too tight for modern thoroughbreds. Also, the nearby course at Catterick was closer to both the main roads and railways in the region.

The site is criss-crossed by public footpaths and is very popular with walkers. Its high elevation offers spectacular panoramic views across to the North York Moors. On a clear day, it is claimed, you can see the North Sea and York Minster.

You can walk to the Racecourse quite easily from the Market Place, but be warned: it's a fair old climb. Alternatively, there are small car parks on Hurgill Road and Whashton Road.