Today we are going to visit the ruins of Barnard Castle. It's much cooler in England and I think you will enjoy the respite if your weather has been anything like our hot, sticky days.
Traveling along the M6 we spot a lovely tree in a sea of green that is just beginning to show its autumnal colors and lovely sheep doting the landscape.
Barnard Castle is a market town (nicknamed Barney) that grew up around the castle. It's located in Teesdale, County Durham, England. Barnard Castle takes its name from Barnard de Balliol its founder from the 12th century.
The castle sits high upon the hill overlooking Tees Gorge and can be seen from miles around.
We drive into the sleepy little town and find a suitable parking spot.
The "Butter Market" or "Market Cross" is in the center of town. It's an interesting building that is the center of the marketplace. It has enjoyed a variety of tenants through the years. From a dairy market, to the Town Hall. to a courtroom, to a lockup, to the firehouse, this building was built in 1747.
There are flowers blooming everywhere in this sweet little village.
As you can see English Heritage takes care of this property.
Sorry about the fly on this sign, but he was quite polite and didn't bother us!
Inside the ruins we wander about imagining what this very large structure must have been like in Medieval times. The Beauchamp family was responsible for the enlargement of the castle. Richard Neville, The Earl of Warwick then took possession of the castle. Barnard was then inherited by Richard III through his wife Anne Neville. The castle fell into ruins a century after his death. The Crown eventually sold the property and its contents in 1626 to Sir Henry Vane. He used the masonry to maintain Raby Castle.
The castle is being taken over by vines along the stone walls. It's lovely, but I'm pretty sure it will break down the walls in the future.
As we walked around the ruins it was obvious this was a very large castle in the day.
These ancient stones are so worn from seeing many days and many storms pass. It would be great if they could talk!
In the center of the castle ruins there is a Sensory Garden.
It's a lovely place that has many varieties of lovely plants to delight your senses.
It's a nice spot to contemplate the past and the future.
As I was doing research on this post I found a very interesting fact. I often take photos out the window as Grayden is driving. Remember that Sir Henry Vane used the stones of Barnard Castle to maintain Raby Castle. I happened to capture a photo of Raby as we were driving to our next destination.
I didn't realize this was Raby Castle until I did this post! ♥
