Richmond (3.5 miles) is a charming market town on the borders of Wensleydale and Swaledale. It boasts an 11th-century castle, fine Georgian architecture, a historic Georgian theatre and a large cobbled market square as some of its many attractions. Stroll into town for a cup of Yorkshire tea at one of the many tea rooms there or pop over for dinner at one of the excellent restaurants.
The gorgeous River Swale runs through the town and less than a mile across the river are the River Swale Waterfalls (3 miles from the property). You can walk in either direction along the river and deep into the countryside without having to go anywhere near the car. We also recommend exploring the restored former Richmond Railway Station which has lots to entertain young and old including a small cinema, cafe/restaurant, gallery, microbrewery and artisan bakery.
Richmond is also known as 'The Gateway to the Dales' so expect stunning Dales scenery within minutes of leaving the town. Peppering this glorious countryside are countless attractive little towns and villages and if you enjoy a bit of surreal entertainment, how about a visit to the quite brilliant Forbidden Corner, an attraction full of statues and hidden surprises, 10.5 miles away near Middleham.
The historic village of Easby, home to Easby Abbey, is just 5.5 miles away. Set on the banks of the River Swale, the Abbey is the perfect spot for a picnic in the summer months. There are lots of other breathtaking sights to explore in the Dales, including Aysgarth Falls (11.5 miles) which were featured in the film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves!
The nearby village of Aysgarth (16 miles) boasts many great options to eat and, if you visit in spring, you can’t leave without a visit to Freeholders’ Wood where bluebells, anemones and primroses will be in full bloom.
This is a superb area for walkers and cyclists with many routes from the doorstep or just a short distance away, including Alfred Wainwright’s famous Coast to Coast Walk which passes close by, and the Pennine Way (around 20 miles away).