The Castle and other Barnard Castle, United Kingdom Things to Do Tips

Obviously the number one choice attraction in Barnard castle.
Built by the Balliols in 1125, it stands high above the river Tees on an outcrop of rock on the steep banking. An impressive sight when arriving in Barnard castle from the west.
There is a walk up to the ruins from this end of town, limited parking by the river, or you park in a carpark and walk from the town.
Now belonging to English Heritage, it's the usual swept up affair, all neat and tidy. The castle is divided into four walled and ditched baileys and you enter the Town Ward from north gate. Although it's quite an extensive site, the outerward is private and not open to the public. Disappointing. When we visit a castle, we like to see it all!!!
There was a seperate little garden I remember, with some interesting sculpture,which was a quiet place to sit.
Although we enjoyed our time here, we felt it wasn't one of the better castles we'd seen.The location is it's good point, with excellent views. However, it does make it tricky, being right in the town, for parking (especially when in a motorhome!).

Open: - April - Sept 10am to 6pm. Daily.
October 10am to 5pm. Daily
Nov. - March 10am to 6pm. Weds. to Sun.

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Address: Barnard castle
Directions: At the top of the town, follow signs.

I have to admit, we haven't actually been in the museum. I don't think it would have been Philip's "thing" so one of these days, Nick and I will visit on our own.
This wonderful building is home to the most amazing collection of things, including clocks, pictures, costumes and textiles. I imagine once you are in there, you could spend all day viewing all the different items.

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Address: Barnard castle
Directions: East of Barnard castle
Website: www.bowesmuseum.org.uk

The ruins of this 12th c. abbey are on the borders of Yorkshire and County Durham and sit amongst a rural farm setting in splendid scenery. Very tranquil and a nice place to stop for a picnic and a walk. The River Tees runs below the ruins and there are walks along it's banks to where the Tees meets the Greta or into Barnard castle the other way.Nearby is an old packhorse bridge.
In the ruined church are gravestone slabs of unknown abbots and some of the windows have unusual carvings above .
We frequently would stop here for our picnic lunch on our way east . Parking is ample and the ruins have free admission.It is in the capable hands of English Heritage - amazing it costs nothing!!!
Open from 10am. to 6 pm.

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Address: 1 and a half miles south east of Barnard Castle.
Directions: Between Greta Bridge and Barnard Castle, off the B6277 or the A66.
Website: www.english-heritage.org.uk

A great day out. We loved this castle,a 14th c. stately home which is still lived in by the Barnard family, who have owned it since 1626. We even saw them playing cricket on their lawn.

A lovely entrance to the parking in a nice garden area, under trees.
Although this was a Bank Holiday weekend, the place appeared to be quieter than we had anticipated.
The castle is set in a magnificent 200 acres, with spectacular gardens, including the 18th c. ornamental walled gardens and it's own deer park
Although it is still lived in, you are allowed to wander through the house in your own time. I don't like being herded along with everybody else, so this was a real bonus to us. The rooms are wonderfully preserved, the dining room table groaning under the weight of the best china and glassware and bedrooms looking just as they would have done in their heyday . For me, the kitchen was the most interesting, laid out as it was for 600 years from 1360. There were lots of unusual kitchen gadgets, some we had to guess their use. I could have spent hours in here, there was so much to look at.

When you first arrive, you pass the coach house where there is a fine display of coaches and carriages from 18th and 19th centuries. There's also a tack room where alsorts of horsey paraphernalia is housed.

Raby Castle organises public events throughout the year, starting on the Easter Weekend.

Open (after the Easter week) May, June and Sept. Weds. and Sun. only
July and Aug. daily except Sats.
1pm. to 5 pm.
The gardens alone are open more frequently.

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Address: Staindrop
Directions: North east of Barnard Castle, off the A688 on the B6288.
Website: www.rabycastle.com

We had seen this name on our O.S. map for a few years and always wondered what it was. Whilst staying in the area we went to have a look.
It was a picnic and play area on the banks of the River Tees with swimming in river pools above waterfalls. There was a miniature railway, small golf course and a cafe. There was an admission charge to park in the grounds and as the weather wasn't good, we decided not to stay. it looked a good place for riverside walks with plenty of room for children to play.
Access was over a 6 foot wide weak bridge so it was a little tricky with a motorhome!

I have since read that this place has been closed down by one miserable individual who bought the land simply to stop people accessing it. Amazing the lengths some people go to.

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Address: Whorlton
Directions: Southeast of Barnard Castle and north of Grete Bridge.

On our way home from Barnard Castle we decided to detour to Middleton-in-Teesdale. This time we didn't go to High Force, having been on a previous trip.
We parked in a picnic area, Bowlees, in the woods where there was a visitors centre. Being a Bank Holiday, it was busy and we were lucky to get parked. It seemed a popular spot. The centre was a good source of info on the area with various displays and hands on activities.There were alsorts of walking routes marked out from here and we opted for a gentle stroll along the river to Summerhill Force. This turned out to be a lovely walk but we were disappointed with Gibson's Cave mentioned on the map, it was just an overhang in the cliff.
An excellent place for information and fresh air.

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Address: Middleton-in-Teesdale
Directions: Follow signs for picnic area and visitor centre. 3 miles NW. of Middleton.

An easy third of a mile woodland walk to England's highest waterfall. The path is surfaced and well maintained but in winter months can obviously be slippy. The Pennine Way passes close by.

You pay £1.50 to park in the large carpark and then you pay another £1 for your admission ticket to the waterfall walk. Make sure there's going to be some water going over the fall before you fork out that money. Naturally the river will be at it's best after heavy rain so it's worth waiting if you can.
The fall plunges 70 feet (21 metres) over the edge of a huge rock, which in severe conditions splits the fall into two sections, into the plunge pool below. OK, this may not be a large fall compared to some other countries, but it's the best we can do!!!

There's a gift shop to spend money in and toilets.
The waterfall walk is open all year.

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Address: North west of Middleton-in-Teesdale.
Directions: Four and a half miles north west of Middleton, off the B6277