Catterick Garrison, Richmond
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Army HQ, 4th Infantry Brigade
Catterick Garrison, Richmond, Coast to Coast
The Coast to Coast path, on its route between Richmond Castle and Brompton-on-Swale, passes just north of Catterick Garrison between Iron Banks and Old Colburn. Nearby, across the River Swale to the east, lie Bolton-on-Swale and Ellerton Lake — both popular stops for walkers exploring the Vale of Mowbray.
Catterick Garrison itself is one of Britain’s largest military bases. It lies off the A6136, which links Richmond with the A1(M). The site was first proposed by Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the Scouting movement, during his tenure as Inspector-General of Cavalry while stationed at Richmond Castle in 1908.
Modern units stationed here include:
• 4th Light Brigade Combat Team (The Black Rats)
• The Light Dragoons
• 2nd Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment
• The Infantry Training Centre (ITC)
The Black Rats Catterick
image @ Crown / army.mod.uk
The 4th Light Brigade Combat Team — known as The Black Rats — is based at Catterick Garrison. As the Army’s lead light brigade within the Joint Expeditionary Force (Land), it provides a flexible and rapid-deployment capability for small and medium-scale operations worldwide.
The Light Dragoons Catterick
image @ forces.net
The Light Dragoons, based at Catterick Garrison, trace their lineage to Britain’s fast-moving cavalry. Today they operate agile Jackal 2 armoured vehicles, designed for reconnaissance and rapid deployment across challenging terrain.
2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment
(Image © yorkshireregiment.com)
Based at Catterick Garrison, the 2nd Battalion of The Yorkshire Regiment (2 Yorks) launched its Next Generation Combat Team in 2022 — a forward-thinking initiative designed to make the British Army more agile, more lethal, and more relevant against modern threats.
Infantry Training Centre Catterick
Image © British Army / army.mod.uk
The Infantry Training Centre (ITC) at Catterick Garrison is the British Army’s principal training establishment for infantry recruits. It delivers rigorous instruction in fieldcraft, weapons handling, fitness, and teamwork — preparing soldiers for service in regiments across the Army.
Barracks at Catterick
Catterick Garrison is now the largest military town in Europe, with a population of over 14,000 according to the 2021 census. Its continued expansion reflects the Garrison’s strategic importance and enduring role at the heart of the British Army.
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