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Barnard Castle and Bowes Museum, Darlington

Barnard Castle overlooking the river Tees was originally a Norman stronghold. It passed in the twelfth century to the Balliol family, the most famous member of which was John Balliol, king of Scotland. When John was deposed and humiliated by Edward I in 1296, Barnard Castle was confiscated. By the fifteenth century the castle had passed to Richard of Gloucester, Edward IV's brother, and future Richard III.

By the sixteenth century George Bowes had been appointed Governor of Barnard Castle. In 1569 a large group of catholic northern nobles attempted a rebellion against their protestant monarch Elizabeth I. The aim was to return England to catholic rule, by marrying Mary Queen of Scots to the Duke of Norfolk, thus ensuring a catholic succession. George Bowes remained loyal to Elizabeth I, and held out at Barnard Castle. Later he had his revenge, and even offended Elizabeth with the ferocity he displayed in hunting down and punishing rebels. The rising of the northern earls was crushed, and the north took centuries to recover.

Barnard Castle is now a partial ruin administered by English Heritage.

Opening Times: Open daily from 1st April to 30th September 10am to 6pm.

During October, open daily 10am to 4pm.

From 2nd November to 31st March 10am to 4pm Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The castle is closed 24-26th December and 1st January. Dogs are permitted on leads. There are audio tours, toilet facilities and a shop.

The Bowes family remained influential in the north while the power of other great families waned. In 1892 John Bowes and his French wife Josephine created an extravagant museum in the town of Barnard Castle. It has a large collection of paintings, ceramics, furniture and textiles. The Bowes Museum can still be visited. It is open daily from 10am to 5pm. It is closed 25th and 26th December and 1st January.

Directions: Barnard Castle is off the A67 west of Darlington. Click here for an interactive map centred on Barnard Castle.

Access: - Barnard Castle: wheelchair access is generally possible over most of the site.

- Bowes Museum: all parts of the museum are accessible except for the archeology galleries on the ground floor. There is a cafe, shop, induction loop system, lift and large print floor plan. Assistance dogs are welcome . There are sofas and chairs in the galleries. There are three different sized wheelchairs available for use.

Contact: for Barnard Castle:

telephone: 01833 638212

web site: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.12917

for Bowes Museum

telephone: 01833 690606

web site: www.bowesmuseum.org.uk