The 'Original' Richmond (Richmond in general)

Member Name: BizzyB

Product:	Richmond in general
Date:	14/08/01 (191 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Gateway to the Dales, The backdrop to the Herriot series

Disadvantages: Poor shopping, Can feel isolated if you live there

Ah, the area of my birth and upbringing.
And when I was asked where I came from and replied 'Richmond' I was always greeted with 'You don't sound like you're from Surrey'. Well that's because I'm not - I'm from the original.

There is a famous song in the area 'Lass of Richmond Hill' - not about me though!

How do I get to Richmond?
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Richmond is situated in North Yorkshire just off the A1 approx':
49 miles North-West of York
52 miles South of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne.

The nearest train station is Darlington (approx 13 miles away) from which there are regular buses to Richmond Town Centre.

The nearest airport is Teesside International Airport (approx 17 miles away)

Car parking in Richmond can get very busy, especially in the height of summer. The town is based around a large Market Square where there is limited car parking on a time limit. There is a pay and display car park called 'Nun's Close' which is signposted and this is a five minute walk from the Market Square. Closer to Market Square is the cobbled avenue 'Newbiggin' which has car parking but this soon fills up with residents of Newbiggin and people working in the town.

Cobbles - there's lots of them in Richmond, lovely to look at, awful to walk on - be sure to wear comfy shoes and if you are pushing a pram or a wheelchair be aware the market place is not only cobbled but on a hill so you may want a third shredded wheat that morning.

On foot - hikers will often pass through Richmond and the surrounding area as it is on the popular coast-to-coast walking route. There a many well signposted walks in the area - arm yourself with an OS map and contact the Richmond Tourist Office for further information.

As I said in the opening it was the place of my upbringing. Admittedly as a stroppy teenage I didn't
much relish living in Richmond. A few years older and now living in the Midlands I hope I'm objective enough to give to you a review that will help you visit the area so will be basing the opinion from a tourist viewpoint as opposed to a (former) resident.

Even though it's not the Surrey one, I think I've heard of it?
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Well you may have, especially in the run up to the election as Richmond is the parliament constituency of one William Hague.

But Richmond has more claims to fame. It is often referred to as the gateway to the Dales - the rural area of the North Yorks famed for sheep farming but even more famous under the title of 'Herriot Country'. This is the area where the James Herriot books were based and was used to film the popular BBC series. Indeed my claim to fame is an episode was filmed on my grandparents fame - very exciting especially when you're four years old! As such you will see many references to James Herriot and merchandise on sale though the James Herriot Museum is based in Thirsk 26 miles south of Richmond.

And James Herriot wasn't the only production to use Richmond and the area as a base. The television adaptation of 'A Woman of Substance' was also filmed here starring an up and coming young actor by the name of Liam Neeson?

So, does it have anything to do with Surrey?
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This Richmond has been settled since the pre-historic times but took the name Richmond when the Normans invaded in 1066 when they named it "Riche-Mont" which means 'Strong Hill'. William the Conqueror gave a large extent of land here to Alan Rufus of Brittany who began building the Castle in 1071 (wow I did listen in school history lessons?)

Well down the history timeline one of Henry VII's titles was 'Earl of Richmon
d' and he re-named his palace in Surrey after here hence the Richmond in Surrey. Now there's 57 Richmonds worldwide but this was the first.

Oh, there's a Castle?
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Indeed one of the towns most famous landmarks is the Norman castle. The castle is on the edge of the market place and there is a charge to look round it but it is well worth the price.

The Castle is made from local stone and forms a large, triangular shape with an extensive now grassed centre the correct term for which I cannot remember (I take it back, I didn't listen in school history lessons). The outer buildings are semi-ruined but a number of rooms remain intact including the chapel but without doubt the most impressive part of the Castle is its complete 100ft square keep. It is immense to the point once inside you rather feel like Alice in Wonderland after she took the shrinking potion. The spacious rooms give you the true feeling of what a grand castle this one was. Do be aware all the stairs are stone and worn so take care when going up them and watch young children carefully. If you are unfazed by heights do climb to the top of the keep for breath taking views of Richmond and the surrounding area.

Due to its large layout and many rooms it is a wonderful place to take children who will be mesmerized by the area.

Richmond Castle also has an interesting modern history. In the first World War it was used as a camp to hold conscientious objectors many of whom were local Methodists. Their 'graffiti' can still be seen on the walls.

Today Richmond Castle often holds Medieval pageants and re-enactment's as well as the popular Bonfire Night fireworks display. Contact the tourist office or see the Richmond website (www.richmond.org.uk) for further details.

There is a small shop at the castle entrance selling heritage memorabilia and books.

An excellent view of th
e castle is obtained by walking down by the Swale, the river that runs by the castle and head up the hill on the opposite bank - keen photographers be sure to have your camera with you.

So what else is there in the market place?
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Well the market place is the hub of Richmond and apart from those cobbles is marked by the large, Georgian obelisk, market cross which incidentally is also where the buses drop off and pick up though this is constantly being debated and is subject to be moved.

The centre of the square is dominated by Trinity church and Green Howard's museum which commemorates the local Green Howard's regiment and is worth visiting if you have an interest in military affairs. Richmond is close to Catterick Garrison which held 5000 German prisoners of war during the first world war and is now one of the army's leading training centres.

The market place is surrounding by many buildings from the Georgian period which replaced the earlier Medieval buildings. I have always found the symmetries of Georgian architecture very bold and attractive and despite their grand size the market place has retained a spacious feel. Just off the market place is the Richmondshire Museum which will give you a good background to the town's history and development. The majority of buildings in the market place as you would expect are business buildings and this area comprises of the main shopping area.

Ok, where can I spend my money?
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As a former resident I must echo the often held argument that Richmond's shopping leaves a lot to be desired. It is true to say that local business initiatives are in place but as of the moment there is a glut of estate agents, second hand shops and bakeries. There are the usual town centre shops - a newsagents, small supermarkets, a Woolworths, A Boots, a hardware-style stor
e but nothing to make you desperate to part with your money I'm afraid. There are a number of independent shops but the general consensus is Richmond is not a great shopping centre. If you are going to part with your money local specialties include woolen garments, superb cheeses and other locally produced foods.

In recent years a large Co-op supermarket has been built next to the Friary Gardens which is a stones throw from the market place and the argument prevails whether this is a good thing or not for the town - whichever way you decide, too late now, it's there.

There are a number of major banks situated in the market place including Barclays, Natwest, Yorkshire and HSBC.

In and around the market place there are a number of small tea rooms, Indian and Chinese restaurants and a number of take-away sandwich shops/bakeries. The tea rooms are particularly popular with tourists and can get very busy.

There is one major hotel in the market place - the eighteenth century Kings Head.

Where else could I stay?
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The most popular choice for staying in the area is the abundance of guest houses and bed & breakfasts. For individual contacts see the Richmond Website. For the self-caterer there are many holiday cottages in and around Richmond for rent.

Just outside of Richmond is Scotch Corner which houses a large hotel as well as two smaller motels just off the A1.

And if I need to quench my thirst?
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Richmond has a huge array of pubs. As a rule the centre of Richmond is lets say, boisterous on an evening out and generally caters for the younger end of the market. There are no nightclubs as such though there are currently plans to develop one in the old post office building, the nightlife culture revolves around the pubs with people traveling to Catterick, Darlington, Northallerton or further afield for
clubs.

If you are looking for a more relaxed evening out I would recommend you loom tot he out lying village pubs many of which specialise in bar meals for a more quaint evening.

The nearest cinema is in Darlington.

What if I feel like being a culture vulture?
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Richmond is home to the Georgian theatre, a tiny and complete, well um, Georgian theatre! It is one of the few left in the country and remains active, often visited by well-known actors and performers. Due to its small scale, it really is tiny, the productions tend to be more of the arthouse and single performer acts than your larger theatre, touring plays. The intimate interior is in dark, Georgian style, the stalls are somewhat uncomfortable and are surrounded by the rather plusher boxes - go on, be Royal for a night.

So how long will the centre of Richmond take me to investigate?
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In honesty this is rather hard for me to answer having lived there but I doubt there is no more than two days worth within Richmond itself for the tourist however there are more attractions in the surrounding areas.

Like?
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Close to Richmond, a good 20 mins walk for the fit, hop in the car if your me ;-), is Easby Abbey which was laid to ruin by Henry VIII when he had his tiff with the Catholic church. The layout of the Abbey remains intact and it is an excellent place for hide and seek (I never claimed to be mature).

Next to the Abbey is the Medieval Church which is worth looking in as it has retained its Medieval decorated walls. Unfortunately as with many churches in the land it is not always unlocked due to the threat of vandalism.

As I mentioned before Richmond is known as the gateway to the Dales and the road out leads up the valleys of Swaledale. The road leading to Swaledale is fast
but deceiving so take care when driving and be aware that it is a working farming area so expect the unexpected!

Swaledale is a sheep farming area and excuse me for being biased but Swaledale sheep are the best in the land - oh yes they are! Travelling up through Swaledale there is breath-taking scenery, the backdrop to the Herriot series. Villages include Reeth, Healaugh (pronounced Hee-law), Low Row, Gunnerside, Muker, Keld before going into next dale Wensleydale. Swaledale has an interesting Viking history with many of the place names being devised from Norse settlements.

There are a number of pubs, tea rooms and small gift shops on the way and my advice is arm yourself with information from the tourist information office in Richmond beforehand to plan what you would like to see and to acquaint yourself with the public rights of way. As with any rural area and especially in light of the foot and mouth outbreak be on top of the countryside code.

During summer there are a number of rural shows which are worth visiting. These shows comprise of the livestock showing where the best of breed are judged. Excuse the smug look but my family won a fair few of these in their time and you would not believe the work that went into them Oh yes farmers look all down to earth and tough but when it comes to their prize sheep they are as soft as muck and they won't thank me for saying that.

The shows also showcase the best of local crafts and produce. Once again, check with the tourist office for details of dates and venues.

Within easy reach of Richmond are a number of other towns and attractions listed on dooyoo such as Leyburn, Bolton Castle etc but is just as good to visit the south of Durham including areas such as Darlington -a must for those with an interest in the history of the railways. Durham City is little over half an hour away with its superb Cathedral, Castle and University buildings.

Is Richmond a
good base for a holiday?
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Richmond is an excellent base for touring the Dales area which will be of particular interest to those who enjoy rural backdrops and early English history. There are a large number of walking and cycle opportunities, rural craft centres and lifestyle. It can get busy in high summer and is popular as a day visit with many people including coach tours.

I would not suggest Richmond as a base for touring the coastal area of Yorkshire of the Vale of York unless you happy to do plenty of driving though if you are doing a 'Yorkshire multi-centre' tour it is well worth considering putting two or three days aside for this part of North Yorkshire.

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