Wynds and Vision: Whispering Waterfalls, Rolling Hills and a Woolly Icon in Richmond
Though I’ve explored every corner of Yorkshire, Richmond, tucked away on the northern edge, had always escaped me. That changed this Easter with a visit framed by Coaching Inn comfort and charm.
The first thing we saw after parking and carrying our cases to the hotel was a game of cricket underway. This initial glimpse of Richmond is as quintessentially British a summer scene as you can get.
One of the reasons I love the Coaching Inns is that they have fantastic restaurants, saving us the hassle of finding places to eat. We also enjoyed lunch at Sip Coffee and dinner at Rafael'o, a rare visit to a UK Italian restaurant for us, as I find them overpriced. Everything here was beautifully presented. I had a satisfying salmon and a too-big Tiramisu to tick off my greatest Italian foodie hits.
Some distinct memories:
The street names include Ryder’s Wynd, Newbiggin, Park Wynd, and Frenchgate. Although Edinburgh seems to have quite a few ‘gates’.
There is a Banking Hub which seems to be a collaboration between Barclays Bank and the Post Office.
A 'hole in the wall' pharmacy where you can collect prescriptions via automated click-and-collect
The Richmond Waterfalls are a stunning, unexpected bonus. We went to ‘hear’ the waterfall during a dusky walk and returned in daylight to see it bathed in sunshine.
Having Wensleydale just a short drive away was also a treat. If you're a Wallace & Gromit/Shaun the Sheep fan, you’ll enjoy it.
And on the drive back south, we were able to call into Tamper Coffee in Sheffield just before closing time.
Richmond reminds us that even familiar counties hold surprises. From decent Italian restaurants and tiramisu to waterfalls heard before seen, this northern escape quietly left its mark.
April 2025
