The picturesque market town of Barnard Castle sits high above the River Tees and is named after the castle of the same name. The name originally came from her 12th century founder, Bernard de Balliol. Barnard Castle is easy to get to and the perfect place to spend a weekend or longer exploring the town and the surrounding villages of the Durham Dales. We’ll cover what to do in Barnard Castle as well as things to do near Barnard Castle and the best places to stay in Barnard Castle and its surrounds.
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In Barnard Castle, you’ll find traditional pubs, acclaimed restaurants, and a world-famous museum to visit. Famous visitors to the town include author Charles Dickens, the landscape painter JMW Turner, and more recently, the infamous Dominic Cummings on his ill-fated eye test. The renowned independent Barnard Castle School, located on the outskirts of the town educated alumni who include the English rugby internationals Rory and Tony Underwood and Rob Andrew.
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Top Things to Do in Barnard Castle
It’s easy to spend a weekend in Barnard Castle, with a plethora of activities, shops, history, and places to eat. Spending more time in the town will allow you to explore further afield – perhaps walking part of the Teesdale Way, discovering more of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and nearby attractions. While you’re in Barnard Castle things to do are varied – and we’ve grouped them into the activities within the town and further afield.
1. Visit Barnard Castle (Castle)
The castle in Barnard Castle is easily spotted when approaching the town from the river. Barnard Castle is perched high on a rocky outcrop above the River Tees.
Named after its founder Bernard de Balliol it passed through the hands of the Beauchamp family and was even owned by Richard III at one point. You can see Richard’s boar emblem carved into a window inside the castle. The castle is maintained and managed by English Heritage.
We recommend an English Heritage membership – whether you’re a UK or overseas resident – as this area of the North East has dozens of heritage locations to visit! Check out our guide to neighboring county of Yorkshire’s Best Castles to visit.
There are stunning views over the River, great picnic areas, and a sensory garden of plants and tactile objects to explore.
Barnard Castle Opening Hours;
10:00 – 18:00 Monday – Sunday (shorter times during the winter).
You can visit Barnard Castle with the English Heritage Annual Pass – from just £46 which allows access to more than 400 properties in England. Overseas visitors can buy passes valid for 9 or 16 days from £33. > Buy your pass now!
2. Go to The Bowes Museum Barnard Castle
This 19th-century museum in the style of a French Chateau was purpose-built by John and Josephine Bowes to house their collection of decorative arts. It’s viewed as one of the most significant museums outside London and is surrounded by formal gardens and woodland. The foundation stone was laid in 1869 and the museum opened in 1892 some years after the death of the couple. Their final resting place is in the Church abutting the grounds of the museum.
There is a diverse and changing collection at the museum – paintings by Canaletto and Goya and Sevres porcelain, however, the most iconic piece is the Bowes Museum’s, Silver Swan. It’s 240 years old and was bought by the Bowes in 1872. The Silver Swan is a life-sized model of English silver automation. The hand-wound clockwork mechanism is used daily and enthralls visitors.
The museum is open daily, from 10:00 – 17:00. There are free guided tours at 11:30. The Silver Swan automation happens at 14:00.
English Heritage members get 10% off admission prices to the Bowes Museum
Bowes Museum prices for entry: Adults GBP 14.00, Family Pass GBP 30.00
3. Explore the Market Cross Barnard Castle
Built by Thomas Breaks in 1747 to replace the old toll booth, Barnard Castle’s Market Cross is an octagonal-shaped building with a covered veranda. On top are a bell tower and a weather vane. The Market Cross, sometimes called the Butter Market, is located at the junction of the Market Place, Newgate, and the Bank. In previous times the veranda was used as the market for butter and dairy products, hence the alternative name,” the Butter Mart”. The upper part of the structure was used as a jail and a store for town records.
The weather vane on top of the Market Cross contains two bullet holes, remnants of an 1804 challenge, when two local marksmen competed from the Turks Head, 100 meters away.
The main use of Barney’s Market Cross is now as a roundabout and it makes a pretty feature in photographs and postcards.
4. Explore the Barnard Castle Market
The town has been a market town for many years. Market Day Barnard Castle is Wednesday when the cobbled area in the center of Horsemarket is set up with stalls. There are fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, fish, local delicacies, clothing, and also bric a-brac stalls.
Market day in Barnard Castle is particularly busy, parking is generally at a premium as the market is set up on “the cobbles” where there is usually free parking. Park instead in the (paid for) Morrisons supermarket Barnard Castle car park.
5. Go to the Barnard Castle Farmers Market
On the first Saturday of each month see’s the farmers market, Barnard Castle. It’s held on the cobbles during the better weather and inside the Witham Hall during winter. There’s a wide range of artisan foods – handmade cheese, hand-reared meat, free-range eggs, homemade jams, fudges, and wines.
6. Take a Walk in Barnard Castle
Barnard Castle is surrounded by great walking countryside.
The long-distance Teesdale Way passes through the town and hikers often use Barney as a base for heading further up the dale to explore the fells.
Walks near Barnard Castle incorporate the banks of the River Tees, great round walks to the Meeting of the Waters, up the river to Cotherstone, and further afield.
The Barnard Castle Ramblers Association has an active membership and regularly holds hosted walks in the area. You can buy their best walks around Barnard Castle booklet from Bowlees Visitor Centre, The Conduit Cafe in Middleton-in-Teesdale, The Witham in Barnard Castle, 54 Degrees North in Barnard Castle and The Teesdale Mercury in Barnard Castle.
Alternatively, grab the Ordnance Survey app – it’s a fabulous way to spot some of the great walks in and around Barnard Castle and Teesdale.
7. Take a Blue Plaque Walk Around Barnard Castle
The Blue Plaque Trail in Barnard Castle commemorates those who have contributed to the history of the town. You can download a map here. Learn about people like Cyril Northcote Parkinson, author of Parkinson’s Law, the site of Charles Dickens Master Humphreys Clock, and where John Wesley preached in 1763.
8. Explore Charles Dickens Barnard Castle
Dickens famously stayed at the Kings Head Hotel, now a nursing and residential home renamed the Charles Dickens. He took inspiration from the Barnard Castle clockmaker, and you can visit the location on which he based Master Humprehys Clock shop. While researching for Nicholas Nickleby he visited Shaws Academy in nearby Bowes Village.
9. Enjoy the Witham Center, Barnard Castle
Located right in the center of Barnard Castle, the Witham is a community arts center, art gallery, cinema, theatre, and café. There are workshops and classes held weekly and there’s a regular schedule of entertainment and ongoing exhibitions here. Check out their schedule and head on down!
The Film Club at the Witham gives you the Cinema in Barnard Castle with a variety of new and old big-screen showings. Check the schedule here
You will also find the Barnard Castle Tourist Information Center here in the Witham.
10. Watch Cricket in Barnard Castle
The Barnard Castle Cricket Club is excellently located in the center of town, with a great ground surrounded by houses and with a fantastic clubhouse and bar. Spend a sunny afternoon watching the league-winning Barnard Castle cricket team.
11. Visit Egglestone Abbey near Barnard Castle.
The atmospheric ruins of Egglestone Abbey located on the banks of the River Tees. There are traces of a 13th-century church and some living quarters here. There is free parking on-site, or the Abbey makes for an easy and pleasant circular walk from Barnard Castle.
The Abbey is maintained by English Heritage but is free to enter.
We recommend you follow the river from the Desmesnes on the Barney side of the river and return on the Abbey side, stopping into the clubhouse of the excellently located and well-maintained Riverside Caravan Park for a well-earned beer.
12. Play Golf at Barnard Castle Golf Course
The Barnard Castle Golf Club has a par 73 course with numerous natural hazards such as streams and ponds with a pleasant outlook over woods and farmland. Visitors are welcome, with daily green fees starting at £27. Buggies are available for hire to visitors and you’ll also get access to the full clubhouse facilities.
13. Play Mini Golf in Barnard Castle
If 18 holes are too many for you, you can always take in the 9-hole mini-golf on the Scar Top near the castle and the children’s playground area—open Weekends and Holidays.
14. Visit Barnard Castle Pubs
There are 12 pubs in Barnard Castle catering to a variety of tastes. CAMRA members will enjoy the Old Well, found on the Bank with a garden backing onto the Castle walls. Many pubs also serve food, or at the least will let you bring in a bag of award-winning fish and chips from one of the town’s chip shops.
Whet your whistle and get a drink in Barney at
- The Bluebell, Bridgegate
- The Old Well, Barnard Castle, located on the Bank
- The Black Horse, Barnard Castle, Newgate
- The Raby Arms, Barnard Castle located on Horsemarket
- The Turks Head, Barnard Castle, found on Horsemarket
- The Golden Lion, Barnard Castle, found in Horsemarket
- The Three Horseshoes, Galgate
- The Coach and Horses, Barnard Castle, located on Galgate
- The Commercial Hotel in Barnard Castle, Galgate
- The Cricketers, Barnard Castle, Galgate
- The Red Well, Harmire Road
The North East of England is a stunning part of the country to visit – why not take a little more time and explore these top things to do in the North East?
15. Go Shopping in Barnard Castle
Barnard Castle town shops are primarily independent retailers. The town is well catered for with two independent butchers, a greengrocer, and several bakeries as well as two national supermarkets. Barnard Castle town shopping incorporates furnishing stores, a pet store, a hardware store, florists, and clothing stores.
Barnard Castle supermarkets are Lidl, Morrisons, and the North East Coop.
There are a large number of antique shops in Barnard Castle. From the Mission Hall Antiques Centre Barnard Castle located at the bottom of the Bank to Ingnet Antiques. Barnard Castle is also the home of BBC TV antique presenter David Harper.
You should make a beeline for the following shops in Barnard Castle
- The Teesdale Mercury Shop – pick up the weekly Teesdale Mercury here as well as good quality souvenirs of the town and all your stationery requirements.
- Barnard Castle Charity Shops – There are a variety of charity shops in Barnard Castle – all excellently located in Galgate or Horsemarket.
- MacFarlane’s Butchers – award-winning butchers, with great homemade sausages, traditional tray baked black pudding, a superb variety of pies and pasties, and a source for the locally made Cotherstone Cheese.
- Peats Butchers – it’s hard to choose between Peats and Macfarlanes – the home-cooked ham and locally sourced produce from here are also excellent.
Best Places to Eat in Barnard Castle
There are a wide variety of places to eat in Barnard Castle – from daytime cafes to pubs, acclaimed restaurants, and takeaways. Here are our best Barnard Castle places to eat.
The 149 Fish and Chips Shop Barnard Castle
Located in Galgate, this deservedly award-winning fish and chip shop has two other locations in the North East. There’s a sit-down café and a busy takeaway that is thronged on a Friday night.
Blagraves Restaurant, Barnard Castle
Located on the Bank, Barnard Castle, Blagraves Restaurant has played host to travelers for more than 500 years and is the oldest house in Barnard Castle. The house was given to Joan Forest by Richard III. Joan’s husband, Miles was reputed to be one of two men who disposed of the Princes in the Tower. Oliver Cromwell held a council and ate and drank here in 1648. The attic of the building was also used as a secret meeting place for the followers of Methodism founder, John Wesley The restaurant takes its name from the Blagraves who lived here in the 17th century.
Capri Italian Pizza and Pasta
Excellent Italian fare here at Capri, on Newgate. A great selection of wine and fantastic lunchtime set meal deals are available too.
Babuls Indian Restaurant, Barnard Castle
Good decent British Indian Food with friendly staff and a varied menu. Sit-down and takeaway options are available.
Map of Things to Do in Barnard Castle
You can see the full map of Barnard Castle’s things to do here.
Where to Stay in Barnard Castle
Barney has some great pubs and places to eat, so you’ll want to stay somewhere within the town and within walking distance if you want a brew. Here are our recommendations for places to stay in Barnard Castle.
The Three Horseshoes Hotel, Galgate, Barnard Castle. Known locally as “the Shoes” or “the Threes”, this is an excellent location and a good pub here with decent food options and well-appointed rooms. > Check prices and book your room now.
The Old Well, the Bank, Barnard Castle. This is a lovely 17th-century hotel and pub that backs onto the ancient castle wall in the antique quarter of the town. Lovely rooms and ensuites, with two cosy bars with cask ales, a fab beer garden, and a gorgeous conservatory to relax in. Reserve your room now!
Where is Barnard Castle?
Barnard Castle is in the Durham Dales, in the North East of England on the edges of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Known locally as ‘Barney”, the town is a few miles from the cross Pennine A66 and is known as the gateway to Teesdale.
How to Get to Barnard Castle
It’s easy to reach Barnard Castle from the A1M, taking the exit at Scotch Corner from the South and then the A66. The route is well signposted. From the North, take the A1M exit 61 at Bowburn and then the A688 and A67.
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The closest train station to Barnard Castle is Darlington, on the main line between London and Edinburgh. Buses operated by Arriva North East run hourly from Darlington until early evening, with a weekend service. Although there is public transport from Barnard Castle to villages in Teesdale, it’s recommended to have a car to explore the area further.
If you need to rent a car, we recommend Discover Cars for car hire. You can search, compare, and save up to 70%, with no hidden fees and free cancellation, What have you got to lose? Get a price for a rental car here.
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Final Words on the 15 Best Things to Do in Barnard Castle
Barnard Castle is the gateway to Teesdale, one of the Durham Dales. It’s one of our favorite places to visit in England, and it’s Sarah’s original home town. We’ve been here many, many times over the years. Barney is the gateway to the Durham Dales and the glorious Teesdale and is a glorious place to visit and stay.
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