A walk around Barnard Castle

Hiya. Today I visited this French Chateau. It was built in the 19th century and stands in stunning gardens and parkland.

It is regarded as one of the most significant museums outside London, so no, it's not in France.

It certainly has the wow factor, doesn't it. I came across this magnificent building by chance. I drove up the A1M and came off at Scotch Corner, taking the A66 westbound. I had planned on visiting Bowes, but took a wrong turn and ended up at Barnard Castle.

This is The Bowes Museum, which was built by local mine owner, John Bowes and his French wife, Josephine. I didn't go inside the museum, it was £8 to get in and I only had an hour or so, so it wasn't worth it.  

Wonderful carved squirrel sculpture in the garden.

I really liked Barnard Castle, there is lots of Georgian and Victorian architecture. This octagonal building is the Market Cross, also known as The Butter Market, built in 1747.

The castle was closed, so I had a walk around the outside of it. It stands on a high rock overlooking the River Tees, and is mainly ruins.

This is the County Bridge. I decided to head out to Bowes, a few miles away. I needn't have bothered,there wasn't much there to look at.  

It's a lovely area, lots of fast flowing rivers. I took a very minor road, which was very pot holey.

I wanted to have a look at a massive waterfall called High Force, but unfortunately the path was closed for maintenance work. Never mind, I will have to come back another time.

 

So here I am in my room at the Fossil Tree B & B, in the Market Place at Stanhope, Weardale. I am meeting up with a group of walkers tomorrow at Westgate. The leader is Mike Knipe, his blog, Northern Pies, is over on the sidebar. Should be a good laugh, I haven't met Mike before, so it will be fun to meet him and his pals. I'm going to watch a bit of tele now, a novelty for me, ha ha. Catch you tomorrow. Toodle pip.