Travel Information

Anker’s House Museum
St Mary and St Cuthbert’s Church
Chester-le-Street
DH3 3QB
Durham
England

Telephone: +44 (0)191 388 3295

This is  site is within close proximity to the town of Barnard Castle. It has ninety pitches and is open from the 1st April To 31st October. There are plenty of Antique shops in the area to browse in and the town itself has an excellent fish and chip shop, Burrell’s Fish & Chips in Barnard Castle town centre. Alternatively a fish and chip shop van calls to the campsite on Wednesday and Friday nights. The site has plenty of facilities and information about what is available and how to book can be found on the Camping and Caravanning Club campsite. Barnard Castle itself is now a ruin which is set high on a rocky cliff about 80 feet in the air above the river. The castle estate covers about six and a half acres. Entrance is now through the North Gate. Barnard Castle is a good base for exploring Teesdale and the Yorkshire Dales. If you are a keen cyclist or a walker you will find plenty of opportunity to explore locally. If you are in your Durham Campervan Hire this is also a good base for exploring the Pennines and the city of Durham. Parking in the city is always a problem in a Motorhome so search out a Park and Ride if its available.

Barnard Castle Camping and Caravanning Club Site
Dockenflatts Lane
Lartington
Barnard Castle
County Durham
DL12 9DG
England

Telephone: 01833 630228 (No calls after 8pm please.)

Take a break from touring in a camper van in County Durham and experience the magnificently unique Beamish Museum. Beamish is an open-air museum which transports you back in time to 1825 and 1913; key dates in history for the North of England. Witness first-hand the astounding industrial revolution which dramatically changed the landscape of the area. Costumed staff are on hand to immerse you in the experience.

Set in over 300 acres of land, there is plenty to see and do at the Beamish Museum.

Beamish
County Durham
DH9 0RG
TEL: 0191 370 4000

Bowes Castle is now a rather impressive ruin. It was once a fortress for Henry 11 which had been built on the site of an anciet Roman Fort. The castle site was clearly extremely strategic a spot even from Roman times as it guarded the stainmore pass over the pennine hills. Henry 11 was keen to ensure that any Scottish Invasion could be fought off and in 1173 and 1174 his fears became reality and the castle was attacked by King William of Scotland. Luckily the Archbishop of York arrived in time with reinforcements and the Scots retreated. The ownership of the castle then past to a number of people who gave it a colourful historic past.By the 17th Century it had become redundant and parts of the castle were dismantled and the stone used for other local buildings. The Castle Keep is the only remaining building standing as it does in a field with a moat on two sides. The castle is now in the ownership of English Heritage and is free to look around at any time.The site is now owned and maintained by English Heritage. Located in a very photogenic spot in this grassy meadow you may wish to visit in your Northern England Motorhome Hire. To locate the castle travel to Bowes Village which is off the A66. The Castle is four miles west of Barnard Castle town. For further information click the blue text below.

Bowes Castle
Bowes Village
County Durham
England.

Nature Reserves are sensitive places to observe wildlife and should always be treated with respect by visitors. Check their bye laws and keep to them during your stay on the reserve.  This is a wildwood famous for its yew, magestic oak trees, ash and dying elm which create a home for other plants and creatures. The main habitat is woodland set in a gorge with steep cliffs and rocky outcrops. You may be lucky enough to catch sight of roe deer or a fox that inhabits the wood, and apart from the large  variety of birds that inhabit the wood there is a huge variety of plant species living here. Natural England has opened a new, short, easy access path that starts at the lodge car park.Remember that all paths can be muddy and slippery after bad weather so wear suitable clothing and Wellington or goretex walking boots to stay dry footed! It is not advisable to visit during bad weather as landslips can occur and trees can fall. Some of the paths are on very steep slopes. There are two marked walks to explore which would take about 2 to 2.5 hours each to complete. For wildlife lovers on holiday in your Durham Motorhome Hire, this is a lovely place to explore. For more information click the blue text below.

Castle Eden Dene National Nature Reserve
East Durham Land Management Team
Natural England
Oakerside Dene Lodge
2 Stanhope Chase
Peterlee
Durham
SR8 1NJ

Crook Hall is a fine and unusual property featuring architecture from 3 different eras, the medieval, Jacobean and Georgian periods. Building here at the hall began around 1208, the next period of Jacobean development began in 1671 and finally in 1720, the Georgian House was built by the Hopper family. As with many old houses, it would not be complete without a ghost story and it is said that the ancient wooden stairs are haunted by a white lady! The hall is most admired for its lovely gardens, some which have existed for hundreds of year and others that have been created in more modern times. The walled Georgian Gardens are said to have been visited by both Wordsworth and Ruskin in their day and the newly planted maze will be enjoyed by both children and adults alike. The gardens are diverse and are interesting to visit at any time of the year. There are magnificent displays of bulbs in the spring and the summer brings a riot of colour and some fabulous roses. The ponds and pools are teaming with life, including fish, newts and frogs. Autumn sees the orchards and green houses bursting with fruit and the beautifully planted vegetable garden yields up its fabulous harvest. There are many varied events on at the hall all year round so it is well worth checking up before paying Crook Hall a visit in your Durham motorhome hire. You can click the blue link below for further information.

Crook Hall and Gardens
Frankland Lane
Sidegate
Durham
DH1 5SZ
Tel: 0191 384 8028

Durham Cathedral is the greatest Norman Building in the United Kingdom. It was along with Durham Castle one of Britain’s World Heritages sites.

County Durham is a magnificent region to explore in a motorhome. Whilst in the area there are many inspiring and beautiful places to visit, such as the famous Durham Cathedral.

Durham Cathedral dates back to1093 when construction work first began. Today it is one of the finest Norman buildings in Europe. Both the spectacular setting and architecture of the Cathedral bring many visitors to the area each year. Durham Cathedral has even been used as a filming location for several big budget productions, including Elizabeth (1998) and Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001)

Durham Cathedral
The College
Durham
DH1 3EH
Telephone: 0191 386 4266
Facsimile: 0191 386 4267
Email: enquiries@durhamcathedral.co.uk

If you are exploring County Durham in a motorhome or camper van then chances are you will come across many fantastic castles. One of these castles is Raby Castle, famed as one of England’s finest existing medieval castles.

Much of the castle is still in existence today, with imposing towers and turrets making up the exterior. The castle interiors are decorated and dressed lavishly with artwork and furniture from Medieval, Regency and Victorian periods.

As well as the castle there are extensive grounds which are roamed by deer. Other outdoor attractions include ornamental gardens and horse drawn carriage experiences.

For those visitors looking for a relaxing visit there is a delightful tea room on site along with a well stocked souvenir shop offering unique and popular gifts to take home.

Raby Castle
Staindrop
Darlington
Co. Durham
DL2 3AH

Telephone: +44 (0)1833 660202
Fax: +44 (0)1833 660169
E-mail: admin@rabycastle.com

This is a family friendly festival, held on 26th and 27th August 2011 in which all members can find something of interest to enliven their visit to Durham. Expect to find the best in contemporary folk and world music, and dare-devil skills of the foremost international street performers who are bound to entertain surprise and amuse. At the Carillion Stage in the Market Place there will be entertaining clowns, astonishing acrobats, unbelievable jugglers and comical contortionists. These street entertainers will be expecting that you show your appreciation by donations of coins and hopefully notes! The Walkergate Music Stage in Millennium Place hosts an eclectic mix of contemporary and breakthrough acts all performing for free. Enjoy a drink or a bite to eat in Walkergate where some of the musicians will be playing exclusive acoustic sets. If you are on holiday in the north of England in your Durham Motorhome Hire, then this is the place to be to enjoy the festival. It may be best to park outside the town and take public transport into the centre as parking a Motorhome may well be a problem. For more information on events click the blue text for Streets of Durham Festival.

Streets of Durham Festival
Market Place ,  Millenium Place and Walkergate
Durham

The Museum is in the market town of Barnard Castle situated in the heart of the Pennines in North East England and is quite a treasure. The town is just off the A66, 20 minutes by car from Scotch Corner (A1), 40 minutes from Penrith (M6) and 40 minutes from Durham Tees Valley Airport. There is ample free parking on site, with coach and accessible parking bays.

The Bowes Museum
Barnard Castle
County Durham
DL12 8NP

T 01833 690606

See life as it was 100 years ago for a typical mining family.

Weardale Museum at High House Chapel
Ireshopeburn
Weardale
DL13 1HD
Durham