Castles - County Durham

Barnard Castle

Barnard Castle (English Heritage)
An imposing Norman stronghold. Extensive ruins standing on a cliff high above the River Tees

Bishop Auckland

Auckland Castle
Official residence of the Bishop of Durham including state rooms and chapel.

Bowes

Bowes Castle (English Heritage)
Five miles W of Barnard Castle on A66. Massive stone keep three storeys high, dating from circa 1170, set within the earthworks of a Roman fort

Brancepeth

Brancepeth Castle
Saxon origins. Home of the Bulmers, the Nevilles, the Boyne family, later Durham Light Infantry headquarters.

Durham City

Durham Castle
Dating from 1072, one of the largest Norman castles and one of the grandest Romanesque palaces to survive in England. The castle was the seat of the Prince Bishops until 1832. Together with the cathedral the castle is a World Heritage Site. It now houses University College, the Foundation college of Durham University, and is a conference, wedding reception, banqueting and holiday centre during vacations

Ludworth

Ludworth Tower
Remains of a fortified medieval border tower of a type more commonly associated with Northumberland than Durham.

Staindrop

Raby Castle
The magnificent Raby Castle, in the beautiful North Pennines has been home to Lord Barnard's family since 1626, when it was purchased by his ancestor, Sir Henry Vane the Elder, the eminent Statesman and Politician. The Castle was built mainly in the 14th Century by the Nevill family on a site of an earlier Manor House. The Nevills continued to live at Raby until 1569, when after the failure of the Rising of the North, the Castle and its land were forfeited to the Crown. Within the halls at Raby treasures include an important collection of Meissen porcelain, fine furniture and artworks, including paintings by Munnings, De Hooch, Reynolds, Van Dyck, Batoni, Teniers, Amigoni, Vernet and De Vos. There is a 200 acre Deer Park with two lakes and a beautiful walled garden with formal lawns, ancient yew hedges and ornamental pond. The 18th Century Stable block contains a horse-drawn carriage collection including the State Coach last used by the family for the Coronation of Edward VII in 1902. Part of the Stables has been converted into a Gift Shop and Tearooms, where the former stalls have been incorporated to create an atmospheric setting. A Woodland Adventure Playground is close to the Picnic Area.
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Witton-le-Wear

Witton Castle
Castle grounds open to the public. Open air swimming, paddling pools, adventure playground, picnic areas, walks, games rooms, shop, snack bar, and day fishing. Periodic special events. Static Holiday caravan sites. Touring Caravan and camping sites.