Looking at the Drummer Boy Stone

Easby Abbey and the Drummer Boy Stone

Easby Abbey is an English Heritage owned ruin which is free to roam around.

The Drummer Boy Stone is a monument to a tragic Richmond legend.

Both are included on this walk, and both are brilliant to go and see!

Have you ever been to Easby Abbey in Richmond?

The beautiful ruins of the 12th Century Premonstratensian Abbey are located on the banks of the River Swale, just outside Richmond. Maintained by English Heritage, the site is free to explore and is well worth a trip!

This walk will take you from Richmond (where you can also visit the imposing ruins of Richmond Castle - also English Heritage, but this time chargeable), to Easby Abbey and back through the woodland, passing what is known as the Drummer Boy Stone. A tragic tale of a young soldier, who lost his life beneath the ground at the point, where the stone stands. But more about that later…..

Oh yeah, and you’ll head past Richmond Falls, AND there’s a park at the car park too…… just a couple of minor details…..

Want to know more?! SURE you do!

Playing in the ruins of Easby Abbey

Walk details for Easby Abbey and the Drummer Boy stone

Distance: 4 miles

Terrain: Easily identifiable paths, some minimal ascent. Some of the woodland could become muddy after wet weather so walking boots or wellies for this one!

Parking: The Fosse Car Park, Richmond.

Public Transport: Yes! There are regular buses to Richmond town centre where this walk begins.

Dog Friendly: Yes, Dogs on leads are welcome. Be aware of any signage installed by English Heritage or landowners on this walk.

Location: Richmond, North Yorkshire

What 3 Words: Drummer Boy Stone - inserting.clashes.songbirds

Toilets/ Baby Change: Richmond Fosse Car Park

Nearest Cafe/ Amenities: Richmond Town Centre is packed full of places to eat, drink and be merry!

Handy links! For up to date information about Easby Abbey, head to the English Heritage website!

Cartwheeling in front of the ruins of Easby Abbey

How to get to Easby Abbey and the Drummer Boy Stone

Directions:

  1. Beginning at The Fosse Car Park, walk down towards the waterfalls, there is a level viewing platform here with information about the falls themselves, take the path that leads north, keeping the river on your right and the wall to your left. Follow this through the parkland (here, you can get down to the river side. It is a popular paddling and swim spot, but as you will see from the warning signs, the water levels are prone to rise quickly, so be vigilant). You need to follow the path along the riverside, towards Mercury Bridge, which you will see up ahead.

  2. The path rises upwards to the road, turn right here and keep to the footpath. You will need to cross this busy road, so be careful doing so. Walk across the bridge. Near The Old Station and Richmond Leisure Centre, there is a permissive path to your left, which heads down the old railway lines. This is your route. You can follow this through the trees, or head along the riverside, both paths will eventually join up with each other. Keep the River Swale on your left, and pass the leisure centre on your right, and keep heading onwards! You need to follow this path, for around 1.5km, until you get to the old railway bridge crossing the Swale. It has a wooden walkway across it.

  3. After crossing, take the track to your left. It is wide, and follows a wall on your right through the trees, and the river is to your left. After around 0.5km, you will reach the remains of Easby Abbey, which are open to explore.

  4. Once you have explored, head back to this path, it continues past the Abbey, keeping that on your right, and the river to your left. You will pass a house to your right, and the path is clear. It follows roughly the edge of the river. Stick to the path that follows the edge of the river, and this will eventually rise up to the Drummer Boy Stone. Take a moment to read the inscription and then head on the clear wide track that takes you back to the bridge next to Richmond Falls.

  5. Head back across the road and back to the car park!

Last walked August 2021.

Looking at the memorial plate for the Drummer boy
Hiding in the ruins of Easby Abbey

The beautiful ruins of Easby Abbey

The River Swale a great place for a paddle

The River Swale

Exploring Richmond Fosse on a family walk

Richmond Fosse

 What’s cool for kids on this walk?

👻 I mentioned the legend of the Drummer Boy above, which is truly a sad tale. Back in the 18th Century, there was a general belief that there was an as yet undiscovered tunnel that linked Richmond Castle to nearby Easby Abbey. Fearing that this tunnel could lead enemies to breach the castle, attempts were made to find it. Which they believe they did. However, the tunnel was too dilapidated for a grown man to fit through. Enter, the little Drummer Boy. The plan was for him to beat his drum under the ground, with the troupes following the sound above the ground, therefore being able to chart the route of the tunnel. Sadly, just as they neared the woodland surrounding Easby, the beats suddenly ended and the boy was never seen again. No attempt was made to find him, because the soldiers believed he had been captured by a demon from hell…… seems a logical conclusion! Reportedly, sometimes the beats of his drum are still heard to this day….. If you want to read more Ghost Stories, head to the blog!

🍦 Quick change from sad tales, to ice cream! There is usually an ice cream van stationed at Richmond Fosse! And the town is a short walk away (albeit up a steep hill!)

🧒 Aaaaaaand there’s a park there too! Great way to get those little legs through those last bits!

💦 Richmond Falls are ace and are well worth a visit. During the summer when we were there, the river was dry enough to walk up to the falls themselves, but this will be a different story in wet weather! The river is a popular swimming spot too, but pay attention to the warning signs and ensure children are supervised at all times! Wild water can kill, and conditions can change extremely quickly, particularly in the River Swale.

🌳 Need to boot out the walking whinges? Why not try one of our walking games?!

Throwing stones into the River Swale in Richmond
Paddling at Reeth Stepping stones in the summer

Are you staying in Swaledale?

We have a whole load of amazing Swaledale walks! You will find Gunnerside Gill in our Yorkshire Dales walks section, you’ll find the Keld Waterfalls in our waterfall section!

But the nearest walk to this walk is our Reeth Stepping Stones walk!

So why not check it out?!

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