Click on the Castle name below the map to see a picture and some text about the Castle.

AUCKLAND

BARNARD CASTLE

BISHOPTON

BRANCEPETH

DURHAM

HYLTON

LAMBTON

LUMLEY

RABY

RAVENSWORTH

WALWORTH

WITTON-LE-WEAR

County Durham - the only County Palantine in England - is a land scarred by heavy industry, but recovering some of its wildness and greenness.  The Prince Bishops of Durham for centuries enjoyed the same powers as the King and the history of County Durham follows a quiet individual course to much of the rest of the North of England.

For many years Durham was the heart of England's coal mining industry, the last mine has gone now and the land is slowly reverting to its original state.  In the east, along the coast, the landscape is gentle but very heavily scarred by the mining; in the west it is wild and unforgiving, some of the bleakest in England.  But cut through by the beautiful Wear and Tees valleys, in the latter of which is England's biggest waterfall (although not highest), High Force. Amongst the towns are the industrial heartlands of Stockton-on-Tees, Sunderland, Hartlepool and Gateshead. Elsewhere Bishop Auckland, Barnard Castle and Durham City are amongst the most beautiful in the North of England. Durham is also home to the Angel of the North, one of the great public artworks of the world.

Very little in County Durham is done small - and Castles are no exception.  Barnard, Brancepeth, Lumley, Witton, even the motte at Bishopton are amongst the bulkiest of all English Castles.  And amongst the most beautiful (one of Andrew's favourites) is surely Raby.

Back to the
Castles of
North East England

© Text copyright - Raving Loony Productions, Andrew J. Müller and Roy Barton
© Photos and Artwork - Andrew J. Müller and Roy Barton
© Web Design and Layout - Andrew J. Müller
2024