Middleham is a small market town in the North Yorkshire dales. There has been a settlement there since the Romans were in Britain.

The village is dominated by the castle, which was started in 1190. This castle was inhabited by King Richard III of England during much of his reign.

Today the village is a modern center of horse racing in the UK. The first race horse trainer to train there was Isaac Cape who trained in 1765. Today there are several race horse trainers based there including Mark Johnston. Racing is the number one employer in the town.