A little about the town
The main
road into 'Barney' is Galgate Map Galgate is based on a road
built by the Romans. At the end of Galgate is the Scar Top and the ruins of
the stone castle built in 1125 by Bernard de Balliol. This is how the town got
it's name (Bernards Castle). The castle overlooks the river Tees and the
County Bridge built in its current form in 1569. The castle also has magnificent views of the Tees and the surrounding area.
Continuing down the main road which now follows the curve of the castle wall
(Horse Market and Market Place) brings you a remarkable sight, the Market Cross or 'Butter Mart' an octagonal building built by Thomas Breaks and
given to the town in 1747. The Market Cross has had several uses since 1747.
It has been used as a fire station, town hall, court house and 'lock up', the floor area
was used for the selling of produce and dairy goods (so the name 'Butter
Mart')
Two bullet holes in the weather vane on top of the Market Cross are reputed to have been the result of a shooting competition between a volunteer soldier and a local gamekeeper in 1804.
Turning left takes you to Newgate and the world famous Bowes Museum. Built
in the style of a French chateau by John Bowes and opened in
1892. It is definitely worth a visit as it houses one of the country's
finest art collections.
Back to the Market Cross and down 'The Bank' where you can find Blagraves
House, then along Bridgegate. At the end of
Bridgegate is the County Bridge. Over the bridge into Startforth then away
into the hills and onto the natural beauty of the Pennines.
Barney is a working market town and has a flourishing market held on 'the
cobbles' in Market Place every Wednesday, the main weekday market is also
supplemented with an occasional Saturday farmers market.
The town has many pubs, clubs, B&B's, hotels, shops and restaurants for you to
visit along with the chance to discover the towns history and magnificent
local scenery.
Barnard Castle, Inspiration for Turner visited by Charles Dickens, Oliver Cromwell and John Wesley.
Why don't you come and see what all the fuss is about.
