Bowes Castle
298 Reviews
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Bowes Castle | English Heritage | The impressive ruins of Henry II's 12th-century keep, on the site of a Roman fort guarding the approach to strategic Stainmore Pass over the Pennines.
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The St, Bowes, Barnard Castle DL12 9HP
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Features
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for kids
Recommended Reviews
Mondo Daftasabrush
12.03.2024
Bowes Castle
Really impressed as a free to enter castle to exploreIt's just ruins but it's nice to say you have beenWe got very lucky in the small car park in villageUnlucky that the ice cream parlour was closedBut headed into Kirkby Stephen for refreshments instead
Len Marlow
07.03.2024
Bowes Castle
It's a ruin, what more would you expect from something dating back to 1171. None the less well worth a look if you are in the area. Site is pleasant and well maintained. Free entry, but parking on roadside very limited. Pennine Way passes right past entrance.
Mark Blewitt
21.02.2024
Bowes Castle
Spending the night there lovelyYeah very nice place definitely worth a visitStaying here while on doing the Pennine way trying for 11 days maybe 12 hope I make it and the weather holds off
Susan Pickup
17.02.2024
Bowes Castle
Lovely free castle to wander about, views outstanding. Not a lot to do but my husband is a castle nut so off we went . Lovely church yard opposite too for a wander through. Not a full day out but if you can marry up with another place to visit it's worth going.
Jarrod Hunt
20.12.2023
Bowes Castle
Very little left of this castle. Good news is it's not far off the main road, but you won't need to be there more than 10 mins. Free sure though, so can't complain
Andy Stewart
19.12.2023
Bowes Castle
Built within the perimeter of the former Roman fort of Lavatrae, between 1170 and 1174 on the orders of Henry II. The castle went into decline and was largely dismantled after the English Civil War, leaving the Keep that can be seen today.Although just a shell, it is still an inspiring building. You get a real feel for the strength of the Keep walls. Like many castles, it was unloved by previous owners, before hand over to Gov agency. It's about a 20 min walk around if your taking a few pictures. Pity there's no information boards or graphics for then and now.
High Miler
18.12.2023
Bowes Castle
This is only a small ruin. Takes about 15 minutes to see it all but is in a nice area and full of history.
Sue Lee
16.12.2023
Bowes Castle
Free castle in Bowes to visit, very well kept. Worth a visit on the pennine way
Suzanne Manning
16.12.2023
Bowes Castle
Nice and peaceful and it's free
Nick Hoar
16.12.2023
Bowes Castle
What better time to enjoy a magnificent ruin than during a heavily overcast, drizzly day. While a biting wind explores your exposed flesh.We were the only visitors, unsurprisingly. And we had the cattle to ourselves.Bowes Castle is remarkably complete, standing tall and forbidding against the slate grey sky.Parking is limited but then I don't expect it gets loads of visitors. And it'd be a great spot to enjoy a picnic while the kids run free, but on a kinder day than when we visited.
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The St, Bowes, Barnard Castle DL12 9HP
Bowes Castle