On Saturday we headed up North and spent the day in Richmond.
The Yorkshire Dales has many examples of market towns and picturesque hamlets, but the town of Richmond is considered by many to be the jewel in the crown. This town has a rich history that includes a cobbled market square, castle, the River Swale through the town, renound Georgian architecture, abbeys and monuments. Richmond has been home to a wealth of artists and writers throughout the ages, and being located right on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, it is quite easy to see how this feeling comes around. The scenery is breathtaking, and the character of this city is unique, which has hardly changed over the ages of its existence. Those who love history and art are abundant throughout and love Richmond, and it is also a paradise for shoppers, those who love to eat well, good hotels and restaurants.
In the 11th century, Richmond was founded by the Normans. The name of the town in French means “Strong Hill”, and this is clear when you see how the castle dominates over the city. Still standing and in very good shape, largely in contact with the castle keep, which has walls 11 feet thick and were added to the building in the 12th century. Before the arrival of the conquering Normans land in the area was owned by a Saxon prince, the Earl of Mercia, he has also pre-Norman history. Colchester and Durham Castle are the only two other stone castles built to compete with Richmond for age, and because of the history of the city and the castle ghost tour can be enjoyed very interesting.
The cobbled square is still used as a market town and is considered the largest in Britain. Richmond was also home to various religious orders, and it shows in the many monasteries in the surrounding area. The Canon White or pre-monstratensians founded the convent of St. Agatha in 1152 and is still standing, and St. Martins Priory was founded by the Benedictines, but little remains of this building today.
