Scenic

Richmond (North Yorks) is somewhere that I haven’t really looked round before, I’ve made a couple of fleeting visits as a stop off on a long journey, but never really made it a destination.

A journey by public transport involved trains up to Darlington and then a bus back down to Richmond. I spent my first couple of hours walking round the town centre, enjoying the atmosphere and the usual urban street adornments that I look out for (Victorian Penfold letterbox anyone?).

I then walked under the castle walls and down a steep path to the banks of the River Swale, where I wandered along to the falls.

Of course there was football too. Richmond Town (Wearside League) were hosting Northallerton Town (Northern League) in a friendly to commemorate Darren Poole, a former player of both teams. The ground is reputedly one of the most scenic in England, thanks to its setting under the castle (extra), and it was certainly a pleasant place to spend a couple of hours. It was a close game but Northallerton pulled away to win 1-2.

I still had a couple of hours before starting my journey back, so I walked west up the river, through the woods into a fine area of meadows. If the sun had been shining I’m sure the place would have been alive with butterflies, as it was my strides coaxed many Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Small Skipper and a couple of Small Tortoiseshell out of the long grass.

Pleased as I am with my football shot of the day (extra), I also liked this view up to the castle from under the bridge, so I thought I’d share that with you today.

There’s certainly more to see in Richmond. I didn’t go in the castle or the museums or walk up to Easby abbey. It would make a good weekend break some time.