Barnard Castle Tourist Information

Things to Do & See in Barnard Castle

Attractions in Barnard Castle include the Medieval castle. Stunning views of Barnard Castle can be seen from the Riverside walk along the River Tees. JMW Turner painted Barnard Castle from a riverside point of view in 1825. Turner wasn't the only celebrity attracted to Barnard Castle and Teesdale. Charles Dickens visited Barnard Castle and the Teesdale area in 1838 on a research mission for his third novel 'Nicholas Nickleby'. Dickens stayed at The Kings Head, now The Charles Dickens in Barnard Castle centre.

The Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle, built in the style of a French chateau, is both a stunning piece of architecture and one of the best art galleries in the North East. Two of Canaletto's huge paintings of Venice are here at the Bowes Museum alongside numerous other art treasures including outstanding Spanish art.

Around Barnard Castle more not to be missed attractions include Eggleston Hall & Gardens which features Victorian greenhouses, kitchen gardens and ornamental gardens. Find out what an important centre Barnard Castle was during World War II by visiting the Stainton Grove Military Camp just to the north east of Barnard Castle. This was one of six military centres used for training in World War II situated around Barnard Castle.

Another highlight historic attraction near Barnard Castle is the exquisite Medieval Raby Castle. Surrounded by a water moat, Raby Castle's interior contains a restored Victorian drawing room, a Medieval kitchen, captivating Gothic vaulting and the grand Baron's Hall. 18th century walled gardens also sit around Raby Castle, which is one of the most stunning castles in the North East.

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Barnard Castle & Raby Castle

Painted by Turner in 1825, the Norman Barnard Castle elevated on a high rock alongside the River Tees is a 12th century fortress around which the historic market town Barnard Castle grew. Bernard de Ballioi founded the castle from which the town took its name.

Cared for by English Heritage, a tour inside the ruins of Barnard Castle reveal much on the later development of the property by the Beauchamp family and Richard III. Just above a window situated in the inner ward of the castle is Richard's carved boar emblem. From the castle are spectacular views down to the River Tees. After touring the interior head down to the Riverside Walk to experience the spectacular view that JMW Turner would have had in 1825 when he painted Barnard Castle. You can also access the pretty woodland walk around Flatt Woods whch weaves up from the Riverside pathway. Flatt Woods walking guide leafets are available at Barnard Castle Tourist Information Centre.

Just to the north east of Barnard Castle near Staindrop sits the North East's finest Medieval castle, Raby Castle. Home to Lord Barnard since 1626, prior to this Raby Castle was developed by the Nevill family who were essentially one of the most powerful families in England until 1569 when the Nevill family's ownership of Raby Castle was ended when Charles, the 6th Nevill Earl of Westmorland was ousted after his ill fated support of the rebel rising against Elizabeth I in support of Mary, Queen of Scots. The huge and ornate Baron's Hall within Raby Castle is thought to be the place where 700 knights congregated in 1569 to plan the Rising of the North against Elizabeth I which went on to fail.

Raby Castle's history from this point is connected with the Vane family and through the centuries considerable remodelling was undertaken particularly through the 19th century. The collections of both artwork and furniture at Raby Castle are impressive. Artwork includes portrait paintings of the Nevill family by Joshua Reynolds. Around Raby Castle sits 250 acres of spectacular Parkland featuring both Red and Fallow Deer, ponds and an 18th century Walled Garden and Coach House. The Stable Tearooms with adjacent fine gift shop are also onsite. Seasonal opening times apply and are listed on the Raby Castle website. The castle is closed from October to Easter.

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The Bowes Museum Barnard Castle

The Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle is one of the highlights in a visit to this historic market town in County Durham. On arrival to the grounds of the Bowes Museum through the great iron gates made in Paris, the magnificent French Chateau styled building is a fine architectural gem and the first in Britain designed in metric. The idea to construct a museum here in Barnard Castle was devised by John and Josephine Bowes and the first foundation stones were laid in 1869. The building was designed by the French architect Jules Pellechet. Sadly both Josephine and John Bowes died before the museum's official opening in 1892. Their vision however to create a great centre for European fine and decorative arts is here today for all to marvel at and enjoy.

The breathtaking beauty of the building continues on inside where you are greeted by the spectacular staircase. The art collection here at The Bowes Museum is one of the best outside of London. Outstanding European fine and decorative arts are on display here including paintings by the greatest of European artists such as Canaletto, Reynolds, Goya and Tiepolo. There are some wonderful surprises here too at The Bowes Museum such as the unforgettable Silver Swan, a silver musical automation dating from 1773. The Silver Swan is the Bowes Museum's icon from which it takes its logo and this piece has captivated many a visitor including the Queen Mother. The Silver Swan was also exhibited at the Paris exhibition in 1867, where the American novelist Mark Twain saw it. Twain describes the Silver Swan in detail in his book 'The Innocents Abroad'. The Bowes is also home to fine collections of costume, textiles, sculpture, glass and a range of metalwork, clocks and watches.

The two paintings of Venice by Antonio Canal called Canaletto take pride of place at The Bowes Museum. 'A Regatta on the Grand Canal' and 'The Bucintoro returning to the Molo on Ascension Day after the Ceremony of the Wedding to the Adriatic' were painted by Canaletto between 1730 and 1740. These two great panoramas are amongst Canaletto's greatest works and depict Venice's great period of political independence before the arrival of Napoleon in 1797. The Bowes Museum's specially produced booklet on the two paintings of Venice by Canaletto, available in the museum shop, is well worth purchasing for a detailed and accessible guide to the paintings.

John and Josephone Bowes purchased many paintings and objects in the early 1860s which at the time were not particularly favoured in Britain. This purchasing against the grain means that today here at the Bowes Museum you can view outstanding Spanish art by El Greco including his 1580 work 'Detail of The Tear's of St Peter'. Other art treasures at the Bowes Museum include paintings by Goya such as Goya's 'Interior of a prison c.1793-1794. The Bowes Museum continues to acquire great objects and works of art and today features fine Impressionist works by Paul-Cesar Helleu.

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Eggleston Hall & Gardens near Barnard Castle

Mid-way between Barnard Castle and Middleton-in-Teesdale (via either the B6278 or B6277) sits the beautiful Eggleston Hall Gardens, another treasure in the area. Four acres of stunning gardens are here within a high wall and they include the original kitchen garden of Eggleston Hall. 400 years of gardening history is here at Eggleston which still features many of the original organically produced crops such as walnuts, cherries, gooseberries, strawberries and vegetables.

Captivating ornamental gardens are also here set around a moorland stream. Friendly and accessible, you'll usually find one of the Eggleston gardeners in the onsite potting shed happy to provide information and advice. Two Victorian greenhouses are also within the gardens, home to less hardy plants and other interesting features within the grounds include The Old Churchard with the ruins of a parish church.

Visitors to Eggleston Hall Gardens can purchase many of the species they have seen around the gardens and greenhouses at the onsite Nursery. Guided walks and evening visits are also available and you can purchase fine crafts and quality gifts from the Coach House Gift shop. Refreshments are available at the Coach House Tea Shop.

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