Richmond: Theatre, Churches and Riverside Walks

Richmond brings together Georgian theatre history, military heritage, churches, markets and riverside walks. This lets you strike a different balance between culture and time outdoors. When choosing a holiday cottage, the first thing to consider is which aspects of the town you want to shape your stay.

Georgian Theatre and Regimental History

The Georgian Theatre Royal offers an insight into the secrets of Britain’s most complete working Georgian playhouse with its Georgian Theatre Experience. During the experience, you can stand on stage and explore the area beneath it and the dressing rooms. Tours run hourly from 10 am to 4 pm, Monday to Saturday; the last tour starts at 3 pm.

The Green Howards Museum is housed in the former Trinity Church on the cobbled Market Place. It tells 300 years of regimental history from the perspective of the soldiers who served. The museum is open Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 4:30 pm; last admission is at 4 pm. As visiting times and individual tour details may change, check the latest information for both venues before your trip.

Churches with Different Stories

The earliest documented mention of St Mary’s Church dates from 1137. After the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1536, roofed choir stalls from nearby Easby Abbey were brought into the church. St Mary’s also houses the Green Howards’ regimental chapel.

Holy Trinity Church offers a different perspective on Richmond’s architectural history: it dates largely from the 14th and 15th centuries. Its south transept is partly preserved as a ruin, while the tower dates from the 15th century. The churches therefore offer contrasting features—from St Mary’s early documented mention and choir stalls to the surviving and ruined parts of Holy Trinity.

Market Life and Culture in the Railway Station

Independent stalls in the Victorian building of Richmond Indoor Market offer handmade crafts, vintage finds, speciality foods and distinctive gifts. At Richmond Outdoor Market, you’ll find fresh produce, flowers, baked goods, clothing and crafts. A market is held at Richmond Market Place on Wednesdays and Saturdays. As market days may change, check before your visit.

The Station brings film, food and art together in a lovingly redeveloped Victorian railway station. It adds a different cultural offering to a market visit. Individual operators and programmes may change.

Walks and Riverside Scenery

For a walk with a clear destination, a route of about one mile follows the river from the town centre to the nearby ruins of Easby Abbey. The Castle Walk, by contrast, offers views of Richmond and the river and is a key part of the Town Trail. The Coast to Coast National Trail also passes through Richmond. Richmond Falls lie in a limestone gorge close to the town centre.

The two walks have different focuses: Easby Abbey is the destination on the riverside route, while the Castle Walk centres on views of the town and river. Richmond Falls add a limestone gorge close to the centre to the picture.

Choosing a Holiday Cottage for Your Stay

When looking for a holiday cottage, consider whether you want to focus on the theatre, museum and churches or on walks and the riverside scenery. This will help you decide which stops to include in your daily plans.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Darley, Reeth, Ripley, Wigglesworth, Kettlewell, Cononley, Middlesmoor and Hambleton.

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