The Bowes Museum
A magnificent French château created in the late 19th century by John and Joséphine Bowes, housing internationally renowned collections of European fine and decorative arts spanning five centuries
Teesdale Discovery
A great website with information about local activities and events. You will find a list of shops in the area as well as local farmers markets along with walks and excellent places to eat.
Raby Castle
Home to Lord Barnard's family since 1626, Raby is one of the finest medieval Castles in England. Built by the mighty Nevill family in the 14th Century, Raby remained in the Nevill family until 1569 when after the failure of the Rising of the North, the Castle and its lands were forfeited to the Crown. In 1626, Sir Henry Vane the Elder purchased Raby and the Castle has remained in the Vane family ever since.
Killhope Lead Mine
The North of England Lead Mining Museum, also known as Killhope, is an industrial museum near the village of Cowshill, County Durham, England. The museum stands on the site of the former Park Level Mine, which is being restored to show the workings of a 19th-century lead mine.
High Force Waterfall
High Force is open for your enjoyment all year round. The gift shop is open seasonally from Easter until the end of October. During the low season from November until Easter an honesty box will be in operation. Please be advised that High Force may be closed during adverse weather conditions. Please telephone before travelling.
Egglestone Abbey
The charming ruins of a small monastery of Premonstratensian 'white canons', picturesquely set above a bend in the River Tees near Barnard Castle. Remains include much of the 13th century church and a range of living quarters, with traces of their ingenious toilet drainage system.
Lanercost Priory
The beautiful and now tranquil setting of Augustinian Lanercost Priory belies an often troubled history. Standing close to Hadrian's Wall, it suffered frequent attacks during the long Anglo-Scottish wars, once by Robert Bruce in person. The mortally sick King Edward I rested here for five months in 1306-7, shortly before his death on his final campaign.
Eggleston Gardens
There have been Gardens at Eggleston Hall since the late 16th century. It is hard to imagine, given the limitations of plant varieties, just how these would have looked, but my suspicion would be towards a physic garden, in all likelihood with the proximity of Egglestone Abbey it may well have been under monastic influence through their use and knowledge of medicinal herbs.
Durham Cathedral
It is cherished not only for its architecture but also for its incomparable setting. For this reason it was inscribed together with the Castle as one of Britain's first World Heritage Sites. It was recently voted the UK’s Number One Landmark by Trip Advisor users. Like Hadrian's Wall and the Angel of the North, it is an icon of north-east England; its image is instantly recognisable to people who love this part of Britain.
This is Durham...
Durham City, home to the iconic Durham Cathedral and Castle World Heritage Site, sits at the heart of an extraordinary county where breathtaking countryside and dramatic coastline are dotted with cultural treasures.
Walks and trails around the area
There are some beautiful walk around both of the cottages. A great link to free downloadable maps can be found above.
Beamish Open Air Museum
Beamish, the North of England Open Air Museum is an open-air museum located at Beamish, near the town of Stanley, County Durham, England. The museum's guiding principle is to preserve an example of everyday life in urban and rural North East England at the climax of industrialisation in the early 20th century.
