Barnard Castle is a historic thriving market town and also Barnard Castle is a castle. The town is proud of its cobbled streets, yards and back lanes which were first laid out in the 12th century. It is the capital of Teesdale. The town, which is about a mile in length, is situated on the southern slope of a hill, descending steeply to the river Tees, The town owes its origins to Bernard Baliol who built a castle here in the twelfth century. Charles Dickens visited Barnard Castle in February 1832 and stayed at the Kings Head in the market place. The town is the administrative centre of the Teesdale district of County Durham. Locally known as Barney Barnard Castle ranks amongst Britain's top fifty most historically and architecturally important towns. The A66 Trans Pennine road provides easy access from both the M6 motorway and the A1 trunk road. It is full of fascinating old shops and It has one of the best antiques centres in the North of England and are located on The Bank, a steep street leading down hill from the Market Cross with early 16th and 17th century buildings on either side. Barnard Castle's Market Place stands at the centre of the town and is dominated by an intriguing octagonal building called the Market Cross. Teesdale Farmers Markets are to be found on the first Saturday of every month at Barnard Castle. In the town centre, the octagonal Market cross, or Butter Market, served a number of purposes, dairy produce was sold here and it was also the town's lock up, Town Hall and Court House. Barnard Castle is a ruined castle over looking the River Tees. It remains include a 3-storey keep,14th century great hall and circular round tower. The castle belongs to English Heritage. The outer ward is private and not open to the public. Once the primary residence of the Baliol family. Named after the men who first built the castle and founded the town. The Bowes Museum is situated market town of Barnard Castle built in the style of a French chateau and opened in 1892. Founded over 100 years ago by John and Josephine Bowes. It contains the greatest collection of European fine and decorative art in the North of England. The museum also houses a number of entertaining interactive displays and presents a programme of unmissable exhibitions which run through out the year.
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