Barnard Castle

Barnard Castle

Barnard Castle is a market town in County Durham on the banks of the River Tees. Visitors can explore the ruins of the Norman castle, discover treasures at the Bowes Museum, or enjoy the shops and antique dealers. The town is also a gateway to the waterfalls and rolling dales of the Teesdale countryside.

Take a relaxing coach break to Barnard Castle, a handsome market town perched on the banks of the River Tees. Tucked away on the edge of the stunning Teesdale countryside in County Durham, 'Barney' is a charming spot filled with quaint old shops, cozy inns, and unique antique dealers.

You can spend your days exploring the ruins of the Norman castle, marveling at the treasures inside the grand Bowes Museum, or heading out into the wild beauty of Teesdale to discover hidden waterfalls and rolling dales. Plus, the historic city of Durham is just a stone's throw away. Join us for a coach holiday to Barnard Castle and let us take care of the journey for you.

Places of Interest

Bowes Museum

Bowes Museum

The Bowes Museum is a French chateau-style gallery in the Durham Dales. Visitors can explore three floors of European art, textiles, and furniture, including masterpieces by Goya and Canaletto. The main attraction is the Silver Swan, a clockwork automaton that preens and fishes. The site also features rotating exhibitions, fashion galleries, and landscaped grounds.

Resembling a grand French chateau in the middle of the Durham Dales, the Bowes Museum was the brainchild of John Bowes, a wealthy coal owner, and his French wife Josephine. They began building this stunning gallery in 1869 to showcase the massive art collection they had gathered, and it finally opened its doors to the public in 1892. Its lavish architecture feels like a wonderful surprise in this part of northern England.

Inside, three floors hold an incredible array of European art, from masterpieces by Goya and Canaletto to fine ceramics, textiles, and ornate furniture. The real highlight is the Silver Swan, an 18th-century automaton that preens and "fishes" via a clockwork mechanism; it performs at scheduled times and always attracts a crowd. With rotating exhibitions, fashion galleries, and beautiful landscaped grounds, it makes for a relaxing and rewarding day out.

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