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Starting Point
Richmond Swimming Pool
Old Station Yard
DL10 4LD
Grid Reference: NZ176008
What 3 words: tickles.pollution.encodes
You can't really go wrong on this walk. The path follows the route of the old railway line (Darlington to Richmond) and is extremely flat and straight.
Distance: 2 miles there and back
Terrain: Solid wide track
Gradient: Level track along all of the route.
Facilities: Accessible toilets are available in the swimming pool and in The Station.
There is a Café, ice cream parlour, cinema, and micro-brewery inside The Station
Picnic benches at the start of the walk.
Seating benches are positioned regularly along the route.
Points of Interest:
Richmond Train Station began running trains from Dalton to Richmond in 1846 and was well used by tourists, soldiers and farmers. The station closed in 1969. Since then, the station has been redeveloped and today the remains of the Victorian building have been transformed into a modern attraction including a 3-screen cinema, café/restaurant, bakery, ice cream maker and independent handmade jewellery and gift shops.
Parish Church of Saint Agatha Easby.
Inside the church is a replica of the Anglo-Saxon Easby Cross (the original is in the British Museum), and a set of medieval wall paintings showing Old Testament scenes of Adam and Eve on the north wall, and the life of Jesus on the south, as well as depictions of activities such as pruning and hawking.
The impressive ruins of Easby Abbey lie in picturesque surroundings by the River Swale. It is one of the best-preserved monasteries of the Premonstratensian 'white canons', with the magnificent refectory, gatehouse and canons' dormitory remaining.
Founded in 1152, Easby Abbey was suppressed in 1536 and within two years most of its buildings had been stripped and demolished. The ruins later became a favourite subject for artists, including JMW Turner.
Entry is free between 10am and 6pm daily
Route Overview
Map courtesy of OS mapping
There is a TGA Minimp Plus available to borrow from Richmond Swimming Pool