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County Durham - Castles, Cathedrals,
Monuments,
Stately Homes & Palaces
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Since the stone age, man has been
creating majestic structures that we still marvel at
today.
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Whether you are interested in ancient monuments,
battlefield sites,
re-enactments,
Roman and Norman forts and castles, Stately Homes, Country Houses, Historic
Cathedrals, Ruined Abbeys etc, this is the page that
should give you the information you need.
Here we try to list properties in
private ownership but open to the public (even if only
occasionally) as well as those in the care of the
National Trust or English/Scottish Heritage.
We know that not all the
properties in County Durham are listed. Please help us
make this guide comprehensive by giving details of
missing attractions
here.
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WITTON CASTLE
Witton-le-Wear, Bishop Auckland, Co. Durham, DL14
0DE
Tel: 01388 488230 Fax:
01388 488008
14th Century castle set in unspoilt countryside
in the heart of County Durham. The summer months
are full of activity at Witton Castle. The
events themselves are varied, but all include
one important ingredient.... FUN! All are open
to the general public and single day-passed are
usually available. As well as providing access
to stunning local countryside walks, Witton
Castle is within easy travelling distance to
Durham Cathedral and Beamish Museum.
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TOWN HALL
Market Place, Durham City
Tel: 0191 386 6111
E-mail:
touristinfo@durhamcity.gov.uk
Guided tours by appointment only. The Town Hall
was built in 1850 and features superb stained
glass windows, paintings, heraldic symbols and a
magnificent fireplace of local stone. Also the
guildhall first built in 1356.
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Raby Castle and the Rising
of the North
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Set in a 200 acre deer
park, some eighteen miles south west of
Durham, Raby Castle is widely regarded as one
of the grandest of its kind, having some of
the most outstanding examples of medieval,
Regency and Victorian architecture and
interiors in the whole of England.
More... |
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Raby Castle - Photo:
John Nicholson
CCL |
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Barnard Castle
County Durham
Tel: 01833 638212
E-mail:
victoria.provo@englishheritage.org.uk
An imposing Norman stronghold. Extensive ruins
standing on a cliff above the River Tees.
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Binchester Roman Fort
(Vinovia)
near Bishop Auckland
Tel: 01388 663089
Binchester offers the remains of a commanding
officer's house, with the vest preserved
military bath house in Britain, and a
fascinating stretch of Dere Street. It is the
only Roman Fort in the region which is readily
accessible to wheelchairs.
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Bowes Castle
Bowes
Tel: 0191 269 1200
E-mail:
victoria.provo@englishheritage.org.uk
Massive 12th century stone keep overlooking the
valley of the River Greta. Built on the site of
a Roman fort guarding the approach to Stainmore
Pass.
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Durham Castle
Durham City
Tel: 0191 334 3800
E-mail:
j.a.marshall@durham.ac.uk
Dating from 1072, one of the largest Norman
castles and one of the grandest Romanesque
palaces to survive in England.
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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, foundation
college of Durham University, and is a
conference, banqueting and holiday centre in
vacations. |
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Photo: Judges Postcards |
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Piercebridge Roman Fort
(Morbium)
Piercebridge near Darlington
Tel: 01325 463795
Visible Roman remains include the East Gate and
defences, courtyard building and part of
internal road. Also remains of the bridge which
carried Dere Street over the Tees.
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The oldest surviving
single-span railway bridge in the world (built
1725-26) stands 80 feet above a wooded gorge.
It is the main feature of a picnic area and
woodland walk with displays explaining the
early waggonways and a replica of an 18th
century coal waggon.
The Tanfield Railway runs between Sunniside,
Causey Arch and East Tanfield. Open at all
times. |
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Photo: Derwentside District Council |
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THE TREASURY MUSEUM
Durham Cathedral, Durham City
Tel: 0191 386 4266
E-mail:
enquiries@durhamcathedral.co.uk
Display of valuable and beautiful objects
representing 900 years of cathedral history.
Includes the relics of St. Cuthbert, fine altar
plate, richly illustrated manuscripts, bishop's
rings and seals and embroidered copes. As an
active place of worship, which also attracts
many other events, the Cathedral is not always
fully accessible to visitors. Please enquire if
you wish to visit on a particular day,
especially when travelling far. The Cathedral is
open for worship and private prayer between
7.30am and 9.30am (Monday to Saturday), and
7.45am and 12.30pm (Sunday). The Cathedral
closes at 6.15pm (Monday to Saturday) and 5pm
(Sunday). From the beginning of April to the end
of September, the Cathedral is open until 6pm on
Sundays.
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Durham Cathedral
Durham City
Tel: 0191 386 4266
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Photo: Judges Postcards |
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A magnificent Norman
cathedral, founded in 1093, the shrine of St.
Cuthbert and a focus of Christian worship in
the Diocese of Durham.
The cathedral and the castle are a World
Heritage Site.
Visitors can see the Monk's Dormitory, Tower,
Treasury Museum and Audio-visual
presentations.
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Egglestone Abbey
near Barnard Castle
Tel: 0191 261 1585
E-mail:
victoria.provo@englishheritage.org.uk
Ruined 12th century abbey in a picturesque
setting above the River Tees. Close to the abbey
is a fine example of a Medieval pack horse
bridge. Open at all times during daylight hours.
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Escomb Church
Escomb Village, near Bishop Auckland
Tel: 01388 662265
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Saxon church dating
from 7th century and built of stone from
Binchester Roman Fort. Now restored, it is one
of the finest examples of early Christian
architecture in northern Europe.
Open summer 9.00-20.00; winter 9.00-16.00.
Guided tours by arrangement with the Tourist
Secretary; key available from 22 Saxon Green,
Escomb. |
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Photo: Wear Valley DC |
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Finchale Priory
4 miles north of Durham City
Tel: 0191 386 3828 or 0191 269 1200
E-mail:
victoria.provo@englishheritage.org.uk
13th century Benedictine Priory which served as
a holiday retreat for monks from Durham. There
are considerable remains of the church and
monastery buildings in an attractive riverside
setting.
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Eggleston Hall Gardens
Eggleston Hall, Barnard Castle, Co. Durham, DL12
0AG
Tel: 01833 650403 Fax:
01833 650378
E-mail:
mbhock@btinternet.com
Web:
www.egglestonhallgardens.com
Specialists in rare and unusual plants.
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Raby Castle and Gardens
near Staindrop
Tel: 01833 660202
One of the country's most impressive medieval
castles set in a 200 acre deer park. Once the
seat of the famous Nevills, Raby has been home
to Lord Barnard's family for over 370 years. The
castle contains fine period furniture and
paintings and the stables house a collection of
horse-drawn carriages. Interesting walled
garden.
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Rokeby Park
near Barnard Castle
Tel: Mrs A Yeats on 01833 637334
Please contact for opening times. Palladian
style country house which was the setting for
Sir Walter Scott's ballad "Rokeby". Contains a
unique collection of 18th century needlepoint
paintings, period furniture and an interesting
"Print Room".
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To join or recommend an establishment to
us, please
contact Tourist Net UK
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