Barnard Castle

Castle Barnard Castle County Durham

Barnard Castle

Castle In Barnard Castle, County Durham

A Grade I listed, 12th Century ruined castle on the banks of the River Tees in Barnard Castle

Barnard Castle is a market town in Teesdale that is famous for a number of things; the silver swan automaton at Bowes Museum, being the ancestral home of the Bowes Lyon family who number Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother as one of their own, and of course as a place to drive to as an eyesight test. But did you know it takes its name from Bernard de Balliol I who built a stone castle there in the 12th Century?

Before the Norman conquest the upper half of Teesdale had been combined into an Anglo-Norse estate which was centred upon the ancient village of Gainford and mortgaged to the Earls of Northumberland. The first Norman Bishop of Durham, Bishop Walcher, was murdered in 1080 and this led to the surrounding country being attacked and laid waste by the Norman overlords. Further rebellion in 1095 caused King William II to break up the Earldom of Northumberland into smaller baronies. The Lordship of Gainford was given to Guy de Balliol.

The earthwork fortifications of the castle were rebuilt in stone by his successor, Bernard de Balliol I during the latter half of the 12th century, giving rise to the town's name. The castle passed down through the Balliol family (of which the Scottish king, John Balliol, was the most important member) and then into the possession of Richard Neville, Earl of WarwickKing Richard III inherited it through his wife, Anne Neville, but it fell into ruins in the century after his death.

Another little fact that we would like to throw in, is that Walter Scott, the famous poet, playwrite and novelist, was a regular visitor to the town and begins his epic 1813 poem “Rokeby” with a man standing on guard on the round tower of the Barnard Castle fortress.

The remains of the castle are Grade I listed, and have incredible views over the Tees Gorge, whilst the chapel in the outer ward is Grade II listed. Both sets of remains are now in the care of English Heritage and open to the public. 

  Add To Bucket List   I Have Visited This Place

Get 2 points if you have visited this place. Already visited by 33 VIPs.

Login to the VIP area to add places to your bucket list, mark them as visited and more importantly see where you rank on the league table.

Where Is Barnard Castle

Where Is It?

What three words
acids.siblings.gearing

Lat / Long
54.544025, -1.925805
Show Place On Google Maps

Come out of the car park and turn right down Galgate to Flatts Road. Head down towards the River Tees just after the Church and the Castle is around 50m away.


Where To Park?

What three words
tree.storm.clef

Lat / Long
54.544483, -1.922642

Show Parking On Google Maps

There is on street parking nearby at Galgate Car Park by Morrisons

Andrew Gardner

Contributed by Andrew Gardner

I love being outdoors, in nature, and experiencing the relaxation it brings. Wandering through the northern countryside seeing unexpected buildings, historic places and occasionally surprised wildlife is one of life's great pleasures.

More Places In Barnard Castle

Find more fabulous places in Barnard Castle, County Durham and if you know of a place we haven't listed, then let us know.
Cauldron Snout
Waterfall Barnard Castle County Durham

At 180m it is the longest waterfall in the UK and is fed from Cow Green Reservoir.

God's Bridge
Bridge Barnard Castle County Durham

A natural limestone bridge on the Pennine Way.

Egglestone Abbey
Religious Place Barnard Castle County Durham

Beautiful ruins of small monastery founded by White Canons set above a bend in the River Tees near Barnard Castle.

More Castles

So this castle wasn't enough and you want more? Don't worry we have you covered.
Hume Castle
Castle Kelso Borders

A heavily modified ruin of an early 13th century castle held by the powerful Hume family.

Belford Castle
Castle Belford Northumberland

A castellated farmhouse sitting on the foundations of a 15th century motte and baily castle.

Cessford Castle
Castle Kelso Borders

A ruined castle on the Scottish side of the border built by the 1st Earl of Roxburghe.

Fabulous North On Facebook
Find Us On Facebook

We post all our new places daily on our Facebook Groups page, so join the group today and be notified when we add a new place.

Share this Place!