How to get to Easby Abbey and the Drummer Boy Stone

Directions to be used alongside a map:

1. Beginning at The Fosse Car Park, you have options. With the waterfalls being at the start/ end point, you can either check them out now or at the end (OR BOTH!!). There is a viewing platform near the car park, and it is possible to get down to the water from here down some stone steps, you can pick your way around the rocks if you like. But for those who fancy keeping their feet relatively dry, head out of the car park in the direction of Richmond Town Centre along Riverside Road. The toilet blocks are on your right as you leave, and the park to your left. You will soon see an offshoot road to the right (it has a sign to indicate a dead end) turn right down here, then turn right soon after down a pedestrian route down to the grassy area by the river (Park Wynd).

2. At the riverbank, bear left heading towards the road bridge (keeping the river to your right). Walk to the bridge and turn right on the pavement. Cross the road carefully to the far side of the bridge. Ahead you will see Richmond swimming pool and The Station (a cinema and arts centre, which is in the old station - great on a rainy day!)

3. Don’t enter the car park, but aim for the far side of the bridge. To your left, you will see some steps going down to the riverbank. They sit pretty much right next to the bridge and then bend to the right on a very clear, well maintained path. Continue to follow it, as it enters the trees. As you walk, you should see the swimming pool come into view on your right.

4. The path heads right up some little steps to join up with the old railway line, now a walkway through the trees. Turn left onto it and follow it as far as the wooden slatted bridge that crosses the river. Shortly after that, turn left.

5. The path will head past the FABULOUS Easby Loop Cafe. Stop here. It’s good and it has ICE CREAM! The path from here is wide, clear and easy to follow right to the abbey ruins, which you’ll spot shortly. Really, you can’t miss it. The Easby Abbey ruins are free to explore. (I say shortly, I mean within the life cycle of an ice-cream).

6. Once you have explored, head back to this track. Follow it as it passes a LOVELY house and then enters a field through a gate. Keep left, following the boundary fence and then head left down some stone steps to the river. Follow the path along the river until it bears right meeting a wooden fence. Simply follow this!

7. It heads uphill and joins the main bridleway. If you look right here, you should clearly see the Drummer Boy stone and plaque explaining the story (pictured). Then turn left and head back up the wide surfaced lane back to the road bridge you started on. Cross the road and head back to the riverside. Then make your own way back to the car park for the park, ice cream and waterfalls!

Last walked August 2025.