Castles & Christian Heritage

With so much of offer from the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Durham Cathedral and Castle to 7th Century Saxon Escomb church to a range of castles from ruins to those used as family homes! Durham has so much for groups to explore and experience, with plenty to discover!  

4 days to Discover Castles and Christian Heritage

Route - Day One
Durham City - Durham University - Ushaw College - Staindrop - Barnard Castle - Middleton in Teesdale - Eggleston - Staindrop - Durham City

Route - Day Two
Durham City - West Auckland - Piercebridge - Scotch Corner - Greta Bridge - Barnard Castle - Staindrop - West Auckland - Durham City

Route - Day Three
Durham City - Crook - Wolsingham - Frosterley - Stanhope - Eggleston - Middleton in Teesdale - Romaldkirk - Barnard Castle - Durham City

Route - Day Four
Durham City - Bishop Auckland - Escomb - Witton le Wear - Wolsingham - Frosterley - Stanhope - Eastgate - Westgate - Daddry Shield - Ireshopeburn - Stanhope - Eggleston - Barnard Castle - Staindrop - Durham City

Why not add another day to your trip and visit Beamish Museum and see the rich history and heritage of the people of North East England brought to life.

Attractions - Suggested Length of Visit

• Barnard Castle (town): 1.5 - 5 hours
• Raby Castle: 2 - 3 hours
• Durham Castle: 1 hour 
• Egglestone Abbey - view from road for photo opportunity  
• Ushaw College: view grounds only
• Durham Cathedral: 1 - 2 hours
• Auckland Castle: 1 - 1.5 hours
• Escomb Church: 30 mins
• Durham Dales Centre: 45 mins - 1 hour
• High House Chapel: 45 mins - 1 hour

Coach Timings - 

• Durham City - Barnard Castle: 50 mins 
• Barnard Castle - Raby Castle: 50 mins (via scenic route)
• Barnard Castle - Raby Castle: 15 mins (direct route)   
• Durham City - Stanhope: 55 mins 
• Stanhope - Eggleston: 20 mins 
• Eggleston - Barnard Castle: 35 mins 
• Eggleston - Barnard Castle: 35 mins (via Middleton in Teesdale) 

Coach Timings (alternative route) - 

• Durham City - Bishop Auckland (Auckland Castle): 30 mins
• Bishop Auckland - Escomb Church: 15 mins
• Escomb - Stanhope (Durham Dales Centre): 45 mins
• Stanhope - Ireshopeburn (High House Chapel): 20 mins
• Ireshopeburn - Barnard Castle: 50 mins
• Barnard Castle - Durham City: 1 hour 

Did You Know...

• Durham Castle is a fantastic piece of Durham's history and home to modern day University student residence.
  
• Friendly tour guides are available at Durham Cathedral, helping groups explore the importance of the Cathedral through the ages.
  
• Which church allows you to collect the key from a nearby house and then step inside 1300 years of history? Escomb - a 7th Century Saxon gem.
  
• You can step into the past and visit many historic but still used Methodist chapels of the lead miners in the Durham Dales.
  
• University College or Durham Castle as it is affectionately known the oldest college of Durham University founded in 1832 and located in a Norman fortress.
  
• You can find an outstanding collection of 17th century Francisco de Zurbaran paintings in Auckland Castle which houses thirteen 8 feet tall paintings in its Long Dining Room. 
  
• The impressive ruins of Egglestone Abbey in Teesdale provided in inspiration for the artist J.M.W. Turner. 
  
• Barnard Castle town took its name from the imposing 12th Century Castle, take time to explore its extensive ruins which still tower over the town.
  
•  Raby Castle's Baron's Hall was the site of royal intrigue where hundreds of northern knights plotted the 'Rising of the North' in 1569 - a rebellion to dethrone Queen Elizabeth 1.