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Bowes Castle

Travel Information and nearby accommodation

Bowes Castle The ruins of a 12th century keep within the foundations of a Roman fort. The castle was built for the same reason the Romans built their fort here; to guard the strategically important Stainmore Pass that runs east-west across the Pennines between present-day County Durham and Cumbria.

Bowes Castle was designed by Richard the Engineer for Henry II between 1171 and 1187. The remains consist of a keep standing several stories high, with the foundations of a forebuilding.

Bowes originally belonged to the Honour of Richmond, but by 1171 it had passed into royal control, and it remained in royal hands until 1233 when it passed to Peter, Duke of Brittany.

The castle was reported as being in ruins as early as 1325, and by the 17th century it had been largely dismantled.

The keep is built to a square plan, and incorporates masonry from the earlier Roman fort. The moat is obvious to the south and west of the keep. Visitors can enter the interior of the keep and ascend a spiral stair in one corner to a height of two stories, for a good view of the castle interior. The foundation walls of interior buildings are clearly visible within the keep.

Bowes, County Durham, England

About Bowes Castle
Attraction Type: Castle
Location: At the west end of Bowes village, off the A66. Parking along the roadside. Open access site located opposite the church. Signposted.
Website: Bowes Castle
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OS NY992134

Heritage Rating: Heritage Rating  ?

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Nearest Attractions

Barnard Castle - 4 miles (Castle)

Egglestone Abbey - 4.4 miles (Abbey)

Rokeby Park - 5.6 miles (Historic House)

Raby Castle - 9.8 miles (Castle)

Wynch Bridge - 10.5 miles (Historic Property)

Low Force - 10.5 miles (Countryside)

High Force - 11.6 miles (Countryside)

Stanwick Camp - 11.6 miles (Prehistoric)

Nearest Towns and Villages

Muker - 11.4 miles away

Kirkby Stephen - 13.6 miles away

Richmond - 13.8 miles away

Askrigg - 15.2 miles away

Aysgarth - 16.1 miles away

Hawes - 16.7 miles away

Appleby - 17.5 miles away

Middleham - 17.9 miles away

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    Nearest Self Catering Cottages

West Cottage Barnard Castle West Cottage - 3.2 miles from Bowes Castle
Barnard Castle, County Durham
Sleeps: 4
Stay from: £210
Red Lion Cottage Cotherstone Red Lion Cottage - 4.1 miles from Bowes Castle
Cotherstone, County Durham
Sleeps: 8
Stay from: £350
Farm Cottage Barnard Castle Farm Cottage - 4.3 miles from Bowes Castle
Barnard Castle, County Durham
Sleeps: 2
Stay from: £210

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Ancient Unicorn Bowes Ancient Unicorn - 0.2 miles from Bowes Castle
Bowes, County Durham
Stay from: £25.00
The Jersey Farm Country Hotel Startforth The Jersey Farm Country Hotel - 5.5 miles from Bowes Castle
Startforth, County Durham
Stay from: £60.00
The Morritt Arms Hotel Barnard Castle The Morritt Arms Hotel - 5.8 miles from Bowes Castle
Barnard Castle, County Durham
Stay from: £29.50

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Lodge Farm Holidays Barnard Castle Lodge Farm Holidays - 2.9 miles from Bowes Castle
Barnard Castle, County Durham
The Old Well Inn Barnard Castle The Old Well Inn - 4 miles from Bowes Castle
Barnard Castle, County Durham
From: £114.00
Spring Lodge Bed & Breakfast Barnard Castle Spring Lodge Bed & Breakfast - 4.2 miles from Bowes Castle
Barnard Castle, County Durham
From: £65.00

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Show nearest Tourist Information Centre to Bowes Castle
Nearest Tourist Information Centre

Barnard Castle
Tourist Information Centre
Woodleigh
Flatts Road
Barnard Castle
County Durham
England
DL12 8AA
Tel: 01833 690 909
Alternate Tel: 01833 695 320
Fax: 01833 695 320
Email: tourism@teesdale.gov.uk
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