Catterick Garrison Catterick Garrison is a major garrison and town located 3 miles south of Richmond in the Richmondshire district of North Yorkshire , England . It is the largest British Army garrison in the world with a population of around 13 , 000 and measuring over 2 , 400 acres , however under plans announced by the Ministry of Defence ( MoD ) in November 2005 , the population of Catterick Garrison is expected to grow to over 25 , 000 by 2020 , making it the largest population centre in the local area . History . The siting of the garrison was first recommended by Robert Baden - Powell who founded the Scouting movement in 1908 whilst he was based at the army barracks — at that time located in Richmond Castle . On 12 August 1914 , the order was issued for the construction of the camp , following the outbreak of the First World War . The originally intention for Catterick was to be a temporary camp to accommodate two complete divisions with around 40 , 000 men in 2 , 000 huts . The base was originally named " Richmond Camp " until being changed to " Catterick Camp " in 1915 , later modified to " Catterick Garrison " . After serving as a prisoner of war camp at the end of the First World War , the idea to make Catterick a permanent military barracks was first suggested after the partitioning of Ireland in 1921 , the required land was purchased and building plans were put forward in 1923 and by the mid 1930s most of the camp ' s facilities were complete , during the Second World War the camp was once again used to house prisoners of war . Governance . The town lies within the Richmond ( Yorks ) parliamentary constituency , which has been represented since 1989 by Conservative William Hague . It also lies within the Central Richmondshire electoral division of North Yorkshire County Council and its boundaries lie in both the Hipswell and Scotton wards of Richmondshire District Council . Geography . Catterick Garrison is located on the A6136 road , connecting Richmond with the A1 road at Catterick Village , to the east . Nearby settlements to Catterick Garrison include the suburban settlements of Scotton south and Hipswell to the east , as well as Colburn , to the east . Transport . The Garrison is without a railway station , Catterick Camp railway station served as a terminus station on the Eryholme - Richmond branch line until its closure in 1964 , the closest mainline railway stations are now found at Northallerton and Darlington , both are equidistant , at south - east and north - east respectively . Regular bus services to Richmond and Darlington are operated by Arriva North East , the closest airport is Durham Tees Valley Airport , north - east . Community and culture . Lacking a true " town centre , " the Garrison gained its first large supermarket , a Tesco store , in 2000 ; along with a retail park known as " Richmondshire Walk " , which also includes a McDonalds and a Poundstretcher , among others . " Catterick Leisure Centre " is a purpose built complex opposite the retail park , opened in July 2009 , it offers a broad spectrum of leisure and fitness facilities including a swimming pool , and a gym , as well as an adjoining public library . Catterick Garrison was once home to one Yorkshire ' s largest cinemas , the " Ritz Cinema " was opened on 21 December 1940 and had over 1000 seats , it was closed on 2 July 1977 after declining usage , today , the site is used as a health and beauty salon . Duchess of Kent Hospital is the local military hospital and medical centre that was opened on 6 October 1976 . It was a replacement to the old hospital that was in existence before the Second World War . Foxglove Covert , a local nature reserve was the first of its kind in North Yorkshire and the first to be located on Ministry of Defence ( MoD ) land in the UK . It covers 100 acres of moorland edge , and was opened in 1992 , in 2001 it was declared a " Site of Local Nature Conservation Importance ( SLNCI ) " . In 2013 a £25 million development scheme for a new " town centre " was unveiled , to be built on a former sports ground , owned by the MoD . The plan includes space for retail outlets , a cinema , a 60 bedroom hotel and several dining establishments and bars , it is expected to create up to 700 jobs . Education . Primary education is provided by Carnagill Community Primary School , built in 1966 , Wavell School and Le Cateau Community Primary School . It should be noted that there are other nearby schools , not within the garrison area itself such as Colburn Community Primary School and Hipswell Church of England Primary School that are also used by residents . Pupils then receive secondary education at Risedale Sports and Community College . Alternatively , children may also attend school at Richmond School and Sixth Form College . Darlington College also has a campus at Catterick Garrison . Religion . The two major churches are dedicated to St . Joan of Arc and St . Aidan . Ministry of Defence Operations . Barracks . The garrison consists of many different groups of buildings spread over a wide area and includes a number of barracks , most of which are named after historical British Army battles , many of which took place in Northern France during the First World War . They include : HQ School of Infantry , Infantry Training Centre . Catterick is the largest of three Infantry Training Centre s ( ITCs ) in the UK . ITC Catterick conducts infantry training combining Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the Combat Infantryman ' s Course . Junior soldiers destined for the infantry continue to receive Phase 1 training at Army Training Regiment at Bassingbourn and at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate . ITC Catterick is the major user of the Warcop Training Area .