Newbiggin can be located by walking from the Market Square along Finkle Street and turning to the left. It is one of the finest streets in Richmond resplendent in Georgian (and earlier) architecture. The small square and broad cobbled partially tree lined avenue adds to its evident character marred only by the cars that park there (horses would have looked better).
John Wesley the founder of Methodism visited Richmond on several occasions and is said to have preached from the steps shown above. (The house is located in the left corner of the small square off Finkle Street).
Further down Newbiggin is the Buck Inn. Look closely at some of the windows and you will see that they are false (one is shown below). It is possible that the windows were blocked in to avoid the "window tax" introduced in 1696.
At the far end of Newbiggin was a small prison for debtors Here (or near here) in 1558 Richard Snell of Bedale was burnt at the stake for refusing to change his religious beliefs. (Follow the previous links for further details and a horrific account of another persecution that took place in the same period during the reign of Queen Mary).
View looking down Newbiggin away from the square:
Further along on the left is a particularly fine example of one of Richmond's Georgian houses
To the right at the far end the Debtors prison is just visible.
The road leading off Newbiggin from the square leads eventually down to the Green a former industrial area.
