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 Barnard Castle - The River
Tees by stevezeroLeave a Comment
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 Raby Castle - County Durham by stevezero
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 still own Raby, now the home of Lord Barnard's family. Raby is one of the finest medieval castles, the grandest medieval kitchen in England which was used 1360-1954, and the magnificent Baron's Hall where 700 knights gathered in 1569; Coach House museum
Admission Charge
Adults £9.00 for grounds and castle Leave a Comment Directions: Just off A688 road, about 8kms NE of Barnard castle.
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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. Leave a Comment Directions: Coming to Brnard castle on the A67
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In the Gibside grounds there is a charming orangery. Although now ruined it retains much of its charm. It was formally used to grow exotic plants for the estate and contained a boiler which heated the building to the correct temperature. Leave a Comment
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At the end of the mile long walk down the avenue from the chapel, sits the Statue of Liberty. Not at all like its namesake in New york, it is more akin to Nelson's column in London. Leave a Comment
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Technically now in Tyne and Wear, Gibside was formally in County Durham until 1974 and is stil most asociated with the county.
The Gibside Estate, overlooking the River Derwent about four miles
west of Gateshead, was created by land owner and coal baron George Bowes
between 1729 and 1760
For whatever reason, the estate was allowed to fall into disrepair.But now, in the hands of The National Trust, is currently in the midst of an extensive renovation programme.
Currently only the delightful chapel is open for viewing to the public, but there are also extensive grounds to explore.
It is the Ancestral estate of the Queen Mother's family, the Bowes-Lyons
In care of the National Trust
Admission Charge-
Adults - £5.00 Leave a Comment Directions: Near Rowlands Gill, Burnopfield, Newcastle upon Tyne
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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 system.
In the care of English Heritage
Admission free Leave a Comment Directions: A few kms south of Barnard Castle on a minor road.
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The main house of the estate was a celebrated stately home, now reduced to a shell after becoming vacant in the 1940s, when death duties forced the Bowes-Lyon family to scale back its lavish lifestyle and give up some of its great houses.
The hall was owned by the Bowes-Lyon family (Earls of Strathmore and Kinghorn) who also owned nearby Streatlam Castle, now demolished.
The hall is currently being stabilised and may be avaiable for inside viewing one day, At present you can only see it from outside. There are fine views from here over the river Derwent. Leave a Comment
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 Barnard Castle - Bowes Museum by stevezero
It has one of the most impressive collections of pictures, ceramics, textiles, tapestries, clocks and costumes in the north of England. The Bowes Museum developed from the collection of John Bowes, Earl of Strathmore, who with his French actress wife Josephine purchased most of the wonderful items displayed in the museum. Sadly both died before the completion of the building in 1892. Leave a Comment
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In the town centre, the octagonal Market cross, or Butter Market, served a number of purposes, dairy produce was sold here and it was also the town's lock up, Town Hall and Court House. Leave a Comment Directions: Town centre of Barnard Castle town
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