Good news from the Georgian Theatre Royal: its very popular guided tours will re-start on 1 August, hourly from 10:00 to 16:00, Monday to Saturday. No need to book, but if there are more than four in your group then please call 01748 825252.

​The theatre "will be maintaining the highest levels of health and safety".

If you're in Richmond to walk (or stroll, or hike, wander, ramble, bimble, pootle or plodge) then walk round to Richmond Information Centre, in the old Market Hall, for a great selection of maps and guidebooks. Best-sellers include:

• Richmond Walks: four circular walks to suit all tastes and abilities, in a beautifully illustrated all-colour booklet, priced at just £1.
• Yellow Maps: magnified from the Ordnance Survey 1:25000 series, so footpaths are even easier to read; waterproof (because you never know...); supplied in a convenient pocket-sized transparent map-wallet. We stock the maps which are centred on Richmond, on Reeth, and on Keld. A really good deal, at £3.99. 

Not far from Richmond, in bucolic County Durham countryside, stands an enormous château, which has obviously got lost on its way to the Loire valley. This remarkable building is the Bowes Museum, a memorial to the love of John Bowes and his French-born wife Joséphine. It now holds an astounding collection of art-works. 

The Bowes re-opens on 1 August - you can find details and advance booking information on the Museum's website. 

1 August - Yorkshire Day! - and Richmond Castle will awake from its slumbers and open its gates to visitors again. There'll be a few restrictions: you won't be able to climb the Keep (the central tower) but your legs will thank you for that; and you'll need to book in advance - but it'll be well worth it.

If you're a visitor to Richmond, you can't very well not visit the Castle... Booking details are here.

Catterick, Richmond and Colburn Libraries re-open on Monday 27 July. And it seems that lots of other smaller libraries throughout North Yorkshire will be opening on the same day, but we've got no details because we can't get North Yorkshire County Council's suggested source (www.northyorks.gov.uk/CovidLibraries) to work.

Now here's some good news - the Station Cinema is re-opening on Friday! Yesss!!! Here's what the manager says:

"As things progress, we will extend our opening hours. We have implemented COVID-19 measures, including social distancing in the auditoria, extra cleaning, fewer shows, and hand-sanitising stations."

Pretty good! But wait, there's more. In addition to the two big screens...

"Our cosy and intimate Screen 3 [see photo] will be available for exclusive 'pod' screenings. If you are nervous about visiting the cinema, you'll be able to hire this screen exclusively for your own group. We'll even provide a waiter service to keep you supplied with cinema snacks and drinks!​"

When one of the most popular venues in town re-opens for business, you know that things really are getting better. Details at stationcinema.com.

If you or your children love spooky rooms and dark, cobwebby corners, you'll love the Forbidden Corner, near Leyburn. One of the most popular attractions in the Yorkshire Dales has now re-opened. As usual, admission is by pre-booked tickets only.

Visitor numbers are increasing; more attractions are opening; more leaflets and brochures are arriving with every post; and our volunteers will soon be doing longer days and enjoying every moment! We'll be open 10:30 - 15:30 from Monday 20 July, and hope to see you soon.

The Station Restaurant
The Cafe opening hours, at the moment, are Wed-Sun 10am-4pm and it is still encouraging you to book your table in advance. Please call them on 01748 825967 or email restaurant@thestation.co.uk
For menus and FAQs, please visit the website.
Also open...
​The Angel's Share Bakery
Richmond Brewing Company
Archer's Ice Cream Parlour