C2C Day Ten - Reeth to Richmond
Today’s journey took me from Reeth to Richmond, a lovely 10-mile stretch in the Yorkshire dales, I feel very much at home now!
I set off a bit later in the morning since the trek was shorter and having to check out of the house the family and myself were staying in. Bidding farewell to family, I headed out under an overcast sky that thankfully held off on the rain (Yes, I put on my wet weather gear just to make sure the weather stayed that way). The first part of the walk along the River Swale was absolutely beautiful, with the gentle flow of the river (lower than I would have expected given recent rainfall) and the lush greenery around, I passed by Marrick Priory but didn’t stop in, wanting to get my legs warmed up for the day ahead.
As I headed up into the dales, the landscape opened up into rolling hills and fields that seemed to stretch on forever, creating a beautiful, expansive view that made every step worth it.
A highlight of the day was stopping at St. Edmund’s Church in Marske, where I met a lovely couple named Elizabeth and Pete. Pete had a bit of a limp, but he kept up a good pace, and we had a nice break at the church. I got my Coast to Coast passport stamped and grabbed some snacks from the adorable tuck shop there. This was easily the best stocked walkers snack shop I've seen so far, including some well though out first aid items for weary walkers, fortunately I wasn't in need to anything like that, just some chocolatey pick me ups for the rest of the walk!
I don’t want to sound blasé about the middle section of the walk, because it was genuinely beautiful in its own quiet way. This part of the day slipped by almost effortlessly, with the steady rhythm of crossing fields, opening and closing countless gates, and following the winding path as it meandered between dry stone walls and hedgerows. There was something wonderfully cathartic about it—the scenery rolling out in various greens and golds helped by the shifting light from the cloudy sky, the occasional bird song, the feeling that time was marked not by the hour but by each stile and gate passed. It was peaceful and restorative, a reminder of why I set out on this journey in the first place.
Starting the descent into Richmond, I did come across a car at the side of the road that made me wonder just how long it had been left there, it looks like a restoration project from one of the home owners across the street that never quite made it to the top of their to do list.
As I made my way over the top of the dales and began the descent into Richmond, the landscape shifted, revealing the charming town below. The first glimpse of Richmond Castle peeking through the trees was a truly breathtaking moment, like stepping into a storybook scene. The town of Richmond unfolded before me, inviting and picturesque, making the final stretch of the day’s walk feel especially rewarding.
Now, I'm enjoying a rest day in Richmond before tomorrow's big trek (24 miles) to Osmotherly, which will be quite the test!