Things to see and do at Richmond Castle
Below you’ll find information about the different things you can see and do at Richmond Castle, including the fascinating exhibition, and the best spots for a picnic and a play in the grounds.
Visit the exhibition
Don't miss our permanent exhibition at Richmond Castle, telling the story of its people, history, and living heritage.
In the museum space, you can find out about the castle's history, from the 11th-century Norman conquest to its occupation by the northern Non-Combatant Corps during the First World War.
Visit and learn about the story of the conscientious objectors, many of them Dales Quakers, who refused to fight in the First World War. The exhibition displays various artefacts and a mock-up a contentious objector’s cell.
There’s also an interactive area for children, sharing the stories of some of the castle's most famous and lesser-known characters.
Explore the garden
In 2000, landscape architect Neil Swanson to design a contemporary heritage garden for Richmond Castle.
The garden, known as the 'cockpit', is outside the castle walls and you approach it through a thick stone wall to airy views beyond. The main part of the cockpit garden is a grassy amphitheatre where people can meet, lay on the grass, have parties, picnics and enjoy the surroundings and it echoes the turfed area within the castle.
Richmond Castle offers kids plenty of space to run around, play and explore; ball games and kites are allowed.
Grab a treat
We have cold drinks and various snacks available to buy at Richmond Castle. Visit in the summer, and you can sample the delicious, locally-made Brymor ice-cream.
You are also very welcome to bring a picnic to eat in the grounds, at one of the seven picnic benches around the site. Enjoy breathtaking views over the River Swale and picturesque market town of Richmond alongside your sandwiches!
The English Heritage shop at Richmond Castle offers a range of fun souvenirs, gifts and books. Any purchases from the shop support our work as a charity preserving England’s special places for future generations.