Richmondshire covers an area of 507 square miles from the River Tees at Croft (where Lewis Carroll, the author of "Alice in Wonderland" spent part of his boyhood), and includes all Swaledale and most of Wensleydale.

A number of smaller dales branch off these two dales with many miles of moorland for walking. All this area is in the Dales National Park. The beauty of the dales, and particularly Swaledale, is outstanding in May when the trees are coming into leaf and also in October, for the autumn tints as the leaves change colour.

The historical town of Richmond is an ideal touring centre and is situated at the entrance to Swaledale. The cobbled Market Place is dominated by the castle's Norman Keep from the top of which it is possible to view most of the town, the River Swale and surrounding countryside.

Frances I'anson (The Sweet Lass of Richmond Hill) lived in Richmond, and the town has given its name to at least 52 towns throughout the world.

There are many walks around the town and one of the finest is along the river to Easby Abbey. From Richmond there are two roads to Reeth; the old road goes over the moors by way of Marske, the new road follows the river with magnificent views of wooded hillsides and moors.