As well as the `Four Short Walks’ local to The Barn, which are shown in the menu at the top of the page, there are lots of places, near and far, to help you to enjoy your stay.
BARNARD CASTLE
A World Heritage Site the Castle ruins at Barnard Castle are a lovely place to visit. Located beside the river on the edge of the centre of this market town you can enjoy lovely walks before settling down in one of the many cafes in Barnard Castle town, many of which are dog friendly.
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/barnard-castle/
BOWES MUSEUM
Bowes Museum is just a short walk from the centre of Barnard Castle. There is parking at the museum. You can spend hours wandering around Bowes Museum the permanent exhibitions and there are always temporary exhibitions and activities for young and old alike.
EGGLESTON HALL CAFE AND GARDENS
Eggleston Hall. Just a ten minute drive from The Barn is Eggleston Hall. Apart from the Hall itself the site is worth a visit primarily for a walk around the gardens, the well stocked garden centre and the highly recommended cafe housed in the old coach house stables.
BOWLEES VISITOR CENTRE
Bowlees visitor centre is well worth a visit and could easily combined with a walk to Low Force or Gibson’s Cave. There is lots of information about the local area and there are often themed displays and exhibitions from local artists in the upstairs gallery. There is also a cafe and toilets.
RABY CASTLE
Raby Castle at Staindrop is a 30 drive from Holwick. The castle dates from the 14th Century and is the family home of Lord Barnard. The castle has extensive grounds to explore with herds of deer and children’s play area. The castle itself is open to view and has an impressive art collection and a very pleasant tearoom.
KILLHOPE WHEEL
Over the hill in Weardale is Killhpoe Lead Mine. This lead mine opened in the mid 1850’s and has been extensively restored following its closure towards the end of the 20th century. Perhaps the most striking feature of the mine is the giant wheel, one of only two if its kind in the country. There is lots to see and do including guided tours down the mine itself.
WEARDALE RAILWAY
Further down Weardale is the market town of Stanhope approximately 30 minutes from The Barn. The Weardale Heritage Railway starts at Stanhope and connects Stanhope, Frosterley and Wolsingham on an 18 mile journey to Bishop Auckland.
FURTHER AFIELD
Yorkshire Dales- Reeth in Swaledale approximately 45 minutes.https://www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/
Durham City-approximately 1 hour drive. https://www.thisisdurham.com/explore-durham/durham-city
The Lake District – Keswick approximately 90 minutes. https://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/
Hadrian’s Wall-approximately 90 minutes. https://hadrianswallcountry.co.uk/
Beamish Open Air Museum-Approximately 90 minutes. https://www.beamish.org.uk/
York- approximately 90 minutes. https://www.visityork.org/
FOOD
Nearby Middleton in Teesdale has a variety of food outlets. There are cafes like the Teespot and fast food outlets like the fish and chip shop as well as a pizza take away.
Bowlees visitor centre has a cafe as does Eggleston Hall. There is a range of cafes and restaurants in Barnard Castle including Indian, Chinese and Italian take-aways, a highly recommended fish and chip shop and a variety of cafes and restaurants catering for all tastes.
There is no shortage of pubs in the area. Until recently the best pub for food and drink was the Strathmore Arms at Holwick but this closed at the start of the pandemic and has not reopened; its future remains uncertain. In nearby Mickleton is the Blacksmiths arms that has a range of real ales and does excellent home cooked pizzas. Cotherstone has the Fox and Hounds that has good ales and a restaurant. Middleton itself has the Teesdale Hotel and the Forresters, Arms both of which serve food as well as drinks. A little further afield is the High Force Hotel and the Langdale Beck Hotel. Both are traditional country pubs serving real ales and restaurant food. Both can be found on the Alston road out of Middleton.