Child doing a cartwheel in front of a castle

Visit Richmond and Swaledale with Kids

Richmond is found on the north eastern edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park and is the gateway town to Swaledale, one of the most stunning parts of the Yorkshire Dales.

But if you’re paying it a visit with the kids, then you’ll want to know what to do, right? Well, you are in the right place!

Are you heading to Richmond or Swaledale with the kids?

If you are here on holiday, or are just looking for some family friendly inspiration, then you are in the right place, because our dedicated Visit Richmond and Swaledale with kids will tell you all about it! From the best family friendly walks, to local attractions and more.

Richmond is a pretty market town, boasting a traditional cobbled market square, castle and its very own town centre waterfall. Richmond Foss is found on the River Swale, the source of which begins in some of the most remote parts of the Yorkshire Dales, beyond Keld. From there it flows over many other waterfalls before reaching Richmond. Yup. Swaledale is great if you’re a fan of waterfalls!

But not only that, within the boundary of the National Park, you will encounter some of the most remote areas, truly stunning. But, the kids? Well what on earth can you do with them? Well never fear! For in Swaledale and Richmond, you will not fall short of things to do with the family.

Check this out!

Child sat on a rock next to a river with a large waterfall behind

Richmond Foss on the River Swale at Richmond

Our best family friendly Richmond and Swaledale Walks

You wouldn’t think that a town would be the starting point for a walk that takes in a waterfall, riverside views, an abbey ruin and a iconic Yorkshire legend, but Richmond is! The Richmond to Easby Abbey circular is a popular route, with PLENTY of interest to keep little ones going the whole way round!

If you want a short stepping stone walk that ends with the play park and at an ice cream parlour, then look no further than our Reeth stepping stones walk!

Head a little further from Reeth and you will find Surrender Bridge, which was used in the iconic opening credits of the original series of All Creatures Great and Small. It’s also an excellent starting point for our walk to Great Pinseat, passing the ruins of the Old Gang lead mines and smelting mill.

Heading still further up the Dale, if ruins really are your thing, head to Gunnerside Gill. This scheduled monument is a series of lead mine ruins and old mine tunnels. A fascinating place to explore!

Searching for a short adventure, which is great for younger explorers? Head to Muker and do our Rampsholme Bridge circular.

WATERFALLS! If you’d like to check some epic waterfalls out, then head to Keld where there is a super circular walk which takes all the Keld waterfalls in!

Child walking through the columns of an old ruined smelt store

The ruins at Old Gang

Child standing next to large waterfalls with green moss and trees above

One of the many waterfalls at Keld

Child walking through a ruined archway under blue sky and on grass

Easby Abbey

Outdoorsy stuff for kids to do in and around Richmond and Swaledale

Of COURSE there’s plenty to do in Richmond and Swaledale for the kids!

Looking for an Open Farm to visit? Why not try Hazel Brow Farm at Low Row, Swaledale. This small working farm has regular events involving their animals, including lamb feeding at Easter. There is also a little nature trail around the grounds of the farm, grab a trail sheet from the farm. In nearby Bedale, there is Big Sheep Little Cow, which is an open farm with indoor and outdoor play areas, as well as having animal feeding and barrel rides.

In Richmond itself, you’ll find Richmond Castle, which is a great spot to explore and to imagine being king of the castle! There are some quite extensive ruins and gardens to see, as well as the exhibition and folklore creature trail. Check out the English Heritage website for more information, or head over to nearby Middleham Castle which is a short drive. A little further on is Bolton Castle, (actually in Wensleydale) where you can check out their falconry displays and wild boar! They also regularly have seasonal trails during the school holidays too, so check out their website for further information.

Did you think I’d finished with the castles? Well no, no I have not. Head over the A66 to nearby Barnard Castle (don’t forget your glasses…. sorry for that 2020 reference!)

Or head to Raby Castle for their awesome adventure playground, the Plotters Forest! They also have seasonal trails running at the nearby High Force waterfall, which is a spectacular fall on the River Tees, conveniently located next to a rather excellent hotel, which has its own pub!

Looking for somewhere to swim? The waterfalls in Keld are a popular wild swimming location, as are the falls in Richmond, although there have been some sad incidents recently at Richmond Foss, so be aware and check out our Wild Swimming with kids blog which has some links to helpful advice and safety information.

And finally, the Forbidden Corner is about 30 minutes away from Richmond and is 100% worth a visit (even if you’re cheating on Swaledale with Wensleydale!) Totally worth the trip! You can read all about it by reading our All You Need to Know about visiting the Forbidden Corner with kids guide!

Adrenaline or climbing on the cards? Head to Geronigo for climbing walls, high ropes and more! (Minimum age is 10)

Last but by no means least! If you’re here in the Halloween holidays (sorry, the OCTOBER half term), there is pumpkin picking at Mainsgill Farm shop, which to be honest is worth a visit at any time of year! It has an extensive farm shop and deli, along with a tasty cafe and play area. Not to mention their animals!

Staying in the area for a while? Check out our Visit with Kids Guides for the whole of the Yorkshire Dales National Park!

Child bottle feeding a lamb in a barn

Bottle feeding the lambs at Hazel Brow Farm

RIchmond Castle

Child sat on a rock in front of a huge raging waterfall and plunge pool in the summer under blue sky

High Force waterfall trail

Child standing in red starry dressing gown next to a large steam train

The Polar Express at Wensleydale railway

Rainy day stuff to do in Richmond and Swaledale

Ok, you’re probably going to get some rain. Brace yourself. We’re going inside… (Kinda)

There is a small independent cinema in The Station which shows family friendly films, but that’s not the only thing they do! There are also family friendly events and shows there throughout the school holidays, so check out The Station website for more information!

Next door to The Station is the swimming pool in Richmond, so check that out for an indoor swim.

The Wensleydale (shh don’t tell Swaledale) heritage train line is a short drive from Richmond, and has regular events, like the fish and chip train! It’s made even more special when they hold the Polar Express Christmas experience there in November and December!

Museum on the cards? Head to the heritage museum in Reeth, where you can learn loads about the history of Swaledale.

Try the Green Howard’s Museum in the centre of Richmond, in particular if you’re visiting in the Summer! They hold their Christmas in July event, which commemorates a wartime initiative to send Christmas greetings in July (due to the delays because of postage, some communications weren’t received for months!) There are a series of festive activities to take part in!

Want to go Bouldering? Head to Ibex bouldering in Darlington.

Playing on Riverside Park in Ilkley

Where’s the play park in Richmond?

The main play area is in Ronaldshay Park in Richmond, but there’s also a smaller play area by the Foss in the town centre.

For more information about play parks in and around the Yorkshire Dales, check out our dedicated A-Z of Yorkshire Dales play parks!

Child looking at a commemorative plaque on a stone plinth in the summer

The Drummer Boy Stone

A Day Out in Richmond must do Itinerary

Ok. You only have a day in Richmond, what would we recommend you do?!

Walk to Easby Abbey from Richmond Foss and make sure you stop at the Easby Loop Cafe on the way for treats! Learn about the legend of the Drummer Boy and tell the story as you go.

Stop at the Foss and grab an ice cream, head to the play park too.

Go to Richmond Castle, the start of the story of the Drummer Boy and check out the ruins and the gardens. The view from the top of the tower gives an excellent birds eye view of the town!

Head to the military museum in the centre of the town, for a full on Richmond day out.

Children pushing open a door surrounded by chinese dragons in orange and yellow

What else is nearby?

If you’re staying for the week, or you’re just stuck for ideas as to what to do with the kids near to Ilkley, then why not check out…

Check out our Wensleydale with Kids Guide

Just the next Dale along… there’s plenty going on in Wensleydale, that you can easily reach from Richmond too!

Check out our visit Wensleydale with Kids page!

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Thank you for taking the time to have a look at my website and for reading this now!

I set up the Reluctant Explorers and maintain the website and attached social media accounts in my spare time, around mum-life and two jobs. It was designed to provide access for parents to free resources to help get more families outside and exploring in nature. These walks have all been created by myself and the kids and we have walked each one ourselves (and re-walk them regularly to keep the information as up to date as we can).

If you would like to support us and can afford a few pennies, you can make a donation to our ‘Buy Me a Coffee’ page. Simply tap the button below to head there!

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Scroll using the arrows for all our Family Friendly Walks

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Leave No Trace

The Yorkshire Dales is our home, and the home of so many others who care deeply about this beautiful space.

Should you visit, make sure to:

Take home anything you bring, leave no rubbish behind.

Make the world a better place by picking up any rubbish you see, even if it isn’t yours.

Leave everything else as you found it.

Help us to protect our wild spaces.