Nestled at the foot of the imposing Yorkshire Dales hills sits Richmond, a charming market town boasting a winding river and a sinister ghost tale hidden within its castle walls.
The River Swale displays a distinctive bronze tint, caused by natural peat tannins as the water cascades over Yorkshire stone.
Flowing through the town to form the picturesque Richmond Falls, the river offers a delightful walking path along pebbly banks beneath overhanging trees.
It’s also ideal for dogs who enjoy a dip. Richmond’s fascinating heritage can be discovered at its Georgian Theatre, which provides comprehensive tours backstage alongside detailed insights into how our ancestors ran this intimate yet enchanting venue.
One Trip Advisor review says: “Lived in Richmond since being a little girl I don’t know how anyone can give the georgian a bad review it is the best theatre in the area.”, reports Yorkshire Live.
“I’ve been in almost every area of the theatre and it is gorgeous I recommend before you watch plays or musicals ect you do the tour then watch them. I have been to a few of the Richmond Operatic Socitey productions and I keep coming back for more!”.
Like many historic theatres, Richmond’s cultural centrepiece has its share of ghostly rumours. Yet the town’s most notorious supernatural legend resides within its spectacular castle.
Visitors can ascend the keep for breathtaking panoramic views over the castle’s grounds and meander along the well-maintained walls of this Norman structure before soaking in the vistas from the serene Cockpit Garden.
However, be on your guard for the Little Drummer Boy, who is said to haunt this castle built by Alan the Red between 1070 and 1086, as per English Heritage.
According to legend, as recounted by Great Castles, secret underground tunnels between the castle and nearby Easby Abbey are home to the ghost of a “drummer boy still playing his drums surfaced after disappearing in the hidden tunnels long ago, never to be seen again”.
The tale unfolds that in the late 18th century, there were concerns that these secret tunnels could compromise the fortress’s security – so the little drummer boy was sent through the tunnel debris to investigate its destination.
The boy was instructed to drum continuously so that soldiers could trace the tunnel’s path above ground, following the sound of his drumming. However, the legend takes a grim turn.
As The Reluctant Explorers reported: “The plan was a success, until they reached Easby Woods, where the sound abruptly stopped. The soldiers’ conclusion? The ill-fated Drummer Boy was eaten by a monster straight from the chasm of Hell. Logical Conclusion. But this is the reason that no attempt was made to recover the poor boy’s remains.”
It is whispered that on a quiet day, his drum beats can still be heard.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
