200 years ago, a steam engine changed the world. The 26-mile journey from Shildon, via Darlington, to Stockton-on-Tees was the first time a locomotive had transported members of the public. That historic journey, on 27 September 1825, is being commemorated over the area.

Coming up on Wednesday 3 September is a talk by Chris Lloyd, Chief Features Writer of the Northern Echo, on The Stockton and Darlington Railway. This is sure to be an entertaining event, packed with facts and details from a knowledgeable specialist. The talk is organised by Richmond Civic Society, and takes place at 19:30 at Richmond Methodist Church. Entry is £10 at the door.

On Saturday 6 September, there's a Railway Collectors Fair at The Station. Step back in time and celebrate 200 years of railway history in this beautifully repurposed Victorian railway terminus. More details here. Free entry. 

Meanwhile, the S&DR200 Festival, a large-scale 200th celebration of that epoch-defining first journey, is taking place all over the region. You can find more details here. And while you're at it, pay a visit to Hopetown in Darlington, where you can visit the Stockton and Darlington Railway's 1833 Goods Shed, a railway station from 1842 and a carriage works from 1853. You'll discover lots of steamy ironmongery and over 30,000 railway heritage items, and your kids will enjoy the cafe and the railway-themed adventure play park.

Fancy a walk? Here's a nice countryside ramble, with a difference!

Since 1577, the citizens of Richmond, together with their Councillors and Mayor, have ridden the boundary of the town every seven years. (Though the custom began In 1577, it is relatively modern, as Richmond was already over 500 years old at that point.) 

The walk is about 14 miles long, and is open to all, residents or not. 

There will be pomp and circumstance, of course! The Mayor, dressed in civic robes and carrying the Silver Mace, will be joined by the Town Clerk, Macebearers, Halberdiers, a Banner Bearer, and a Pinder carrying an axe. (Because. Just because. Don't ask difficult questions.) At various places, the Mayor stops to proclaim the boundaries of Richmond against neighbouring parishes and manors. One such place is the middle of the River Swale; the Mayor is usually carried!

To take part in the Boundary Walk, meet at 08:30 on 27 August in the Market Place; the walk departs at 08:45. There are generally several hundred walkers! You should wear suitable footwear and clothing, and expect rough ground. Bring water and snacks; there will also be two refreshment stops en route, selling food and drinks. Strictly no dogs - sorry, Fido.

Everyone who finishes the walk will receive a certificate of achievement.

Commemorative water bottles are available from Richmond Information Centre for £6 each or two for £10.

Leave the tux; ditch the stiletto heels. Wellies and an old jacket are the order of the day!

Late August, early September - this is when the agricultural shows come to Swaledale and Wensleydale. You may not be planning to buy a heifer or sell your old tractor, but you can have a fabulous day out anway. There'll be handicrafts, homecrafts, countryside books, clothing, hot pies and cool beers. There'll be sheepdog competitions, carriage-driving demonstrations, live music, inflatables, children's areas, vintage tractors, vegetable shows, cool beers - again - and much, much more. Don't miss the terrier racing - it's hilarious and chaotic.

We've got three wonderful shows coming up soon. Click the links for details:

• The Wensleydale Show, Saturday 23 August - just outside Leyburn. The largest of our three.
• The Reeth Show, Monday 25 August - between Reeth and Grinton, in mid-Swaledale.
• The Muker Show, Wednesday 3 September, in wild upper Swaledale.

You'll enjoy the shows, but beware! You know how you go​ to Lidl for a bag of potatoes, and come out with a lawnmower? That's the risk with these shows: hot sun, cool beer, and you may come away with a heifer after all!

The Artisan Market returns this Sunday - in the Market Place from 10 to 4. It's always a great opportunity to pick up hand-made souvenirs or gifts from local craftspeople: soap, beer, fabrics, jewellery, wooden toys, delicious pies - who knows what you'll find?

And when you've finished browsing the colourful stalls, take a stroll round Richmond's equally colourful Historic Centre. Where better to begin than Richmond Information Centre, based in the Victorian-era Market Hall, also in the Market Place. Our helpful volunteers, and hundreds of leaflets, maps and other information, are ready to offer advice and useful pointers. 

Foxglove Covert Local Nature Reserve is a wonderful place - and a rather unusual one. It just happens to be situated in the middle of a very large Army garrison, which means that most visitors have to be escorted in and out, through the barracks. This is inconvenient and a deterrent for visitors, and probably not what the soldiers signed up for.

Good news! A new access gate is being prepared, which will reduce the inconvenience - for visitors coming by car, at any rate. (Or by bike or horse.)

The new way in will be off the Richmond-to-Leyburn road, the 'Tank Road', as it is known locally. Click the image above to see an enlarged map. The access road is shown in red, and is expected to open at the end of September.

Heritage Open Days take place every year, all round Britain, when thousands of locations - normally closed to the public - open their doors for a day or more.

In Richmond you can enjoy a tour of St Mary's Bell Tower with the tower captains and ringers. You can visit the tiny chapel of Holy Trinity, which even most Richmond residents don't know about. You can take part in a wild wander round Foxglove Covert - in the middle of the largest army garrison in Europe! You can join Lord Ronaldshay for a tour of the normally very private glories of Aske Hall (See the Gothick Temple in the photo). And there are many other enticing offers... Dates are 12 - 21 September.

All the events are free, but some of them need to be booked - and they'll fill up fast!

Richmond and District Civic Society has prepared a very nice leaflet covering the sites in and around Richmond. You can pick it up at Richmond Information Centre. Or - if you can't get to our pod in the Market Hall - here's the online programme for the whole of North Yorkshire. Don't miss!

PS: there's also a Heritage Quiz, particularly suited to children 7 - 15. Two versions are available; one will take about an hour to complete; the other involves more walking and should take about two hours. There are six cash prizes of up to £20, which someone must win. Woohoo! Pop into Richmond Information Centre and pick up a quiz form.