Richmond Is A Typical North Yorkshire Dales Market Town
The Yorkshire Dales in the north of this county has many fine examples of Dales towns and village, but Richmond is definitely the jewel in the crown of these. This market town has a wealth of history which includes a cobble stone market place, a Norman Castle, the river Swale, Georgian architecture, abbeys and monuments.
Richmond has played muse to writers and artists of both the past and present and as it is situated close to the Yorkshire Dales National Park it is easy to see how this inspiration comes about. The scenery is breathtaking and the character of this town is completely unique, having hardly changed through the many centuries of its existence.
People who enjoy nature and history in abundance will love Richmond, and it is also a haven for shoppers, people who enjoy fine dining, good hotels and fun pubs.
During the 11th century in 1071 Richmond was established by the Normans in French; Riche Monte means strong hill. So as you can imagine the castle dominates the town. Still standing and in very good shape the most in-tact part of the castle is the keep which has 11 foot thick walls and was added on to the building in the 12th century. Prior to the conquering Normans arrival, the land in the area was owned by a Saxon Prince; Edwin, the Earl of Mercia so it also has pre Norman history.
Colchester and Durham castles are the only other two stone built castles to rival Richmond for age, and because of the history of the town and the castle a rather interesting ghost walk can be enjoyed.
The firs gas works ever built in Europe was built in Richmond during Georgian times and this brought prosperity to the town. Some really fine examples of Georgian architecture bear testament to the wealth this industry created.
The cobbled market square is still used as a market venue and is said to be the largest in the UK. Richmond has also been the home of various religious orders and this is seen in the many abbeys of the surrounding area. The White Canons or Pre-monstratensians founded St. Agatha's abbey in 1152 and it still stands, and St. Martins Priory was founded by the Benedictines, but there is very little left of this building today.
