Raby Castle - 4 Things to Know Before Visiting

A hidden natural fountain with supposedly healing water that tastes like rotten eggs. This mineral spring can be found in Gainford. With a very high sulphur content the gases omit a foul bad egg smell which may put you off tasting it, but as soon as the smell clears the water appear fresh and cold. The noticeably sulphurous minerals contained in the water were thought to be health-giving and the well soon became a tourist attraction and there were unfulfilled plans to pipe the water to a pavili

One of the purest examples of the neo-Palladian villa constructed between 1725-1730. The house is well known as the original English home of the painting The Toilet of Venus by Diego Velázquez, now known in English as The Rokeby Venus. It was one of the iconic buildings which attracts a lot of tourists to enjoy the architectural b eauty and the surroundings too.

The Bowes Museum is a hidden treasure, a jewel in the heart of beautiful Teesdale. Housing internationally significant collections of fine and decorative arts. Picnic Area & Playground. The magnificent building stands proud in the historic market town of Barnard Castle housing internationally significant collections of fine and decorative arts. Purpose built in the 19th century by John and Joséphine Bowes, the Museum has a wonderful story to tell.

A majestic and beautiful castle which was set on a high rock above the River Tees. It sits on the fringe of an attractive working market town also known as ‘Barney’ so there is plenty to do for families on a day out. The castle, an English Heritage property, was named after its 12th Century founder, Bernard de Balliol, and was later developed by Richard III whose boar emblem is carved above a window in the inner ward.

A rare example of an abbey that was temporarily converted to a manorial seat and later stripped for building materials when the aristocrats who owned it decided to build a much larger mansion nearby. The site buildings are protected as a Scheduled Ancient Monument and they are maintained by English Heritage.

One of the picturesque locations where you can spend some nice time from wildlife watching to stargazing, and adventure play for all the family to exhilarating mountain biking, there is something to keep everyone busy. 2000 hectares of mixed scenic woodland lying between the Wear and Tees valleys on the edge of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.