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Sign in with FacebookLatest Barnard Castle hotel reviews
Pro
Old-fashioned, intersting town
Con
Hard to get to
In a nutshell
Overlooked place for a daytrip
uglyscot Says: The castle is on a high rock overlooking the river. It was well known under Bernard de Balliol in the 13th century, though it had been built by the Normans. Richard III inherited from his wife Anne Neville. Now it is the care of the English Heritage.The castle is massive and...
uglyscot Says: The Market Place or Buttergate Market is an interesting feature, and on the Saturday we were there there was a Farmer's Market.I had imagined stalls overflowing with vegetables and fruit, but though there was one, the majority had pre-packed meat, even venison and eggs. Some...
nickandchris Says: This was a route we had hoped to travel on the motorbike but unfortunately it suffered a puncture on an earlier ride so we ended up driving the motorhome over this road. Fortunately, it was a good road, plenty wide enough in places with lots of passing places. It is,...
nickandchris Says: This is great river walking country, with the Tees and the Greta joining forces just south of Barnard castle. Whilst camped near Scargill, south of BC, we chose to take a walk along the Greta. This entailed following a tributary from the site down to the Greta and then...
nickandchris Says: The grounds surrounding the Bowes Museum are a public park and open all year, free entrance.Park either at the top, behind the museum, in the car park or on either side of the curving drive. Have a wander through the formal parterre garden with it's neat flower beds and...
gordonilla Says: The Butter Market, also known as the Market Cross can be found at the end of the main street of Barnard Castle. It has served many purposes over the years including a market area for farmers wives to sell their produce and even a jail. Today it is a landmark in the centre of...
gordonilla Says: As I was having my stroll though the town centre, I came across "The Witham". There was even an art exhibition taking place. It does seem to be in need of some care and attention but does appear to be a busy cultural facility.
gordonilla Says: After a long and slightly confusing walk, I came across the Bowes Museum - I was unsure what I was expecting, but was pleasantly surprised when I came across this very large building and grounds.It was the home of the family of the late Queen Mother' s extended family.
Visit the castle in Barnard Castle
gordonilla Says: Source: English HeritageSet on a high rock above the River Tees, Barnard Castle takes it name from its 12th-century founder, Bernard de Balliol. It was later developed by the Beauchamp family and then passed into the hands of Richard III.This was a please experience, and I...
stevezero Says: Again, unfortunately the castle was closed as we passed, you could not even get in the grounds. It opens selected days in summer only.The present castle was built by John, 3rd Baron Nevill in about 1360; Sir Henry Vane the Elder, MP, purchased Raby in 1626 and his family...
stevezero Says: The charming ruins of a small monastery of Premonstratensian 'white canons', picturesquely set above a bend in the River Tees near Barnard Castle. Remains include much of the 13th-century church and a range of living quarters, with traces of their ingenious toilet drainage...
stevezero Says: Bowes castle is in the small village of Bowes, some 8kms west of Barnard Castle.The castle is thought to have been built by Alan, Earl of Richmond, soon after the Norman conquest of 1066 on the site of the old Roman fort, a date of 1087 indicating how strategic the location...
stevezero Says: The museum lies just outside the town, built in the style of a French chateau, unfortunately we did not have the time to visit this trip.It has one of the most impressive collections of pictures, ceramics, textiles, tapestries, clocks and costumes in the north of England....
stevezero Says: The town satnds on the River Tees which is quite shallow at this point. From the castle you get a fine view of the river and the point where the Romans forded it just downstream.
stevezero Says: We came into town via the County Bridge, an old bridge, built in its current form in 1569 . It lies at the foot of the castle hill. You can park near here for free and walk up to the castle and main town.
199 Opinions
1 Review and 103 Opinions The Morritt looks the part from the outside, and it is a popular place for weddings. Whilst the...
The Golden Lion: Central Town.
nickandchris Says: It was nearly two o' clock (the time when most pubs stop serving lunch) and we were hungry! After a couple of failed attempts at rural pubs (closed) we hurried into Barnard castle, parked in the car park and looked at a couple of pub menus. We chose the Golden Lion, it...
Coach and Horses: Ahh Jennings!
bonio Says: Friendly pub in the centre that sells Jennings beers, always a favorite of mine! looks like they do B&B too.
Helpfulness
I came across a stall selling Parkin, a ginger cake renowned in Yorkshire. The stall holder informed me that the cake had been baked the previous day. He advised me to keep it as long as possible as the flavour improves. However after 24 hours more, I gave in.
The cake was moist and with a full ginger flavour. Delicious
What to buy: I also bought some honeycomb. This had obviously been made in a large tin, and then broken into pieces. It was sweet and crisp and delicious
What to pay: Ginger cake £3 and honeycomb £1
Written Jul 3, 2011
Address: market, Barnard Castle
This is known as the secret garden of the north and as we were in the area, thought we'd take a look.It is mainly a nursery, selling a large selection of plants and garden sculptures and seemed a popular place for a browse.
The hall is privately owned but you do get some lovely views of the magnificent building from the grounds.
You are given a guide with your admission price, (£1.00 I think) and this takes you through the garden in a numbered trail.
Although not overly large, the place is interesting, having it's own ruined church that is now been incorporated into the garden with shrubs growing out of it and a couple of huge trees poking through empty windows and the roof.
As our visit was in early April, we were too early for it to be very colourful, nor were the vegs. very advanced but we still enjoyed our gentle wander round. I particularly like the ancient contorted hazel tree, twisted and gnarled like an old hag.
At the top of the garden, a surprise is in store - a replica of the Angel of the North!! Not sure when this was added.
The garden and nursery are home to an unusual plant, the spikey, silver leaved plant Celmisia spectabilis, Eggleston Silver, very sought after.Eggleston is famous for it's quality and quantity of these, originally and carefully nurtured from just three plants.
There is ample parking, a gift shop and a cafe.
The gardens are 5 miles northwest of Barnard Castle, off the B6278 and are well signposted.
Updated May 13, 2011
Phone: 01833 650115
Website: www.egglestonhallgardens.co.uk
Helpfulness
Favorite thing: If you happen to be here in April, you will often find the annual Dales Pony Show. The Dales pony, local to Northeast England, is little known outside Britain but very nice. It was used as a pack pony in early days, then nearly died out and is now on its way back again. Even if you are not interested in horses, it is a great day for meeting northern countryfolk and/or find a weatherproof jacket :-)
Updated Oct 6, 2002
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