Richmondshire is one of the most beautiful areas within the Yorkshire Dales, covering over 500 square miles. It’s one of the most sparsely populated areas in the country so there’s plenty of space for you! Much of Richmondshire is within the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Wensleydale, Coverdale, Bishopdale, Swaledale, Arkengarthdale – the names immediately conjure up stunning views and restful settings.
Richmond takes pride of place, with its Norman Castle, cobbled market place, famous Georgian Theatre Royal and elegant Georgian buildings.
Nearby are the bustling market towns of Leyburn and Hawes, with their independent shops and surprisingly wide range of places where you can enjoy eating local produce and sampling local beers.
Even if you’ve never visited before, you’ve probably seen some of Richmondshire before – as a film and television location, possibly as the breathtakingly beautiful setting for James Herriot’s "All Creatures Great and Small".
Walkers delight in the challenge of the hills as well as the peace of the riverside meadows. Families come to spend time together and explore historic castles, unravel mysteries of the past and breathe in the fresh air. Friends love to meet in the pubs, tea rooms and browse in quirky shops and galleries.
Follow a lazy lane, twisting, turning and dawdling up the hillside. Find the perfect spot to picnic and enjoy the view. Come and sit in a cosy pub. Kick off your shoes, sink into a squishy sofa in a luxurious country house hotel or comfortable B&B. Show your children there’s life beyond the TV and iPod. Yorkshire Puddings taste even better after hours spent in the fresh air.
So what are you waiting for? It’s so easy to get here and escape the crowds. A warm Yorkshire welcome awaits you.
Pages in this section
- Places to visit
- Read about the "must visit" destinations across Richmondshire. Whether you enjoy museums, historic buildings, fine arts or country walks, there's something for everyone!
- Houses, castles and gardens
- From Iron Age fortifications, through 12th and 14th century monasteries, to Jacobean and Victorian country houses, Richmondshire has fine examples of buildings from many eras of history.
- Enjoy family activities
- Richmondshire is full of child friendly villages, with ice cream shops, parks and wide open spaces around every corner, so you’ll never be short of things to do.
- Browse quirky shops
- Richmondshire has a fine variety of quirky fun shops, selling items you won’t find anywhere else and probably didn’t know you needed.
- Creative Richmondshire
- Richmondshire is home to a wonderfully eclectic mix of local craftspeople, many of whom have working studios open for visits.
- Walks and outdoors
- The green rolling hills and attractive villages of Richmondshire make it perfect walking countryside. There are also plenty of tea shops and pubs, so it’s worth planning some stops along the way.
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Last updated:
18 July 2008
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