I came across this odd landmark a few years ago doing geocaching. Having never seen or heard of one…read morein the UK before I found it rather intriguing. What it is, is a sulphur spring right beside the river tees. The smell of rotten eggs greats you as you approach down a small path but after about 5 minuets the smell no longer seems to be there however if you move away some distance and return it's back like a bad smell. Apparently it has some healing properties according to the Victorians who flocked to taste the waters. Having had a little taste my self it wasn't that inviting. The original fountain was replaced in 2000 but still looks the part (see images). If you are heading up teesdale via Barnard Castle then it's on the way. A small lay-by is provided to park in and then it's just a short 100m walk down a path.

Legend has it that the Abbey on Inchcolm Island in the Forth, began when King Alexander I was…read moreshipwrecked in 1123, and took shelter in a hermit's hovel. After the hermit saved his life, the King decided to build a priory on the Island. In any case it was definitely a priory by the mid 13th century when in 1235 it became an Abbey and grew from there. Inchcolm Abbey is regarded as one of the best preserved medieval monastic building complexes. It really is impressive. To get here you need to get one of two ferry services from Queensferry (make you sure you choose the option to get off at the Island and don't just pay for the cruise) which takes about thirty minutes. Once there you are free to explore the Abbey (and the rest of the island). It really is a great trip, if you're anything like me and generally like ruined piles of stone. But in all seriousness so much of it is still intact, that you really get a feel for the place. Actually it can become a bit maze like with all its stairs and many floors. One particular nerve racking part involves a steep climb up some very small winding stairs. These monks really were midgets! In fact I'm quite surprised Historic Scotland still lets visitors climb these precarious heights, but I'm glad they do. From the top of the tower you get a fantastic view of the Island and across the Forth. It also makes a great family day out, especially with the cruise to boot. Kids love to run around the Island and if its a nice day it makes a perfect picnic venue.

Just because we live in Edinburgh doesn't mean we can't enjoy the city. The folks who run the city…read morecentre (Waverley Bridge) bus tours also run a boat to Inchcolm Abbey. Go for it - an absolutely brilliant and fascinating day out. Couple of tips, buy coffee on board, if you get off at Inchcolm (do, it's amazing) either take a picnic or have a meal before or after the cruise. They only have very expensive bottled drinks and biscuits and chocolate on the island. Take your camera, wear flat shoes and comfy clothes and go for a paddle if its warm. Look out for the seals, so cute. Fantastic day out for all ages.

This would once have been a beautiful building. Unfortunately, after Henry VIII disbanded monastic…read morecommunities in England, Wales and Scotland in the 1500s, all that remains is the gatehouse. This functioned as a vicarage to the local church and is now in the care of English Heritage and probably dates back to the 1100s. Definetly worth the walk, or the drive.

I came across this interesting bridge whilst out on a walk along the river Tees near to Barnard…read moreCastle. It was 1st built in 1829 but unfortunately was washed away twice in that year so in 1831 the current suspension bridge was built. If you stand in the middle whilst cars go across you can feel a ripple as it flexes under the weight & movement of the car crossing. There is a small parking bay on the south side so you can stop & look. On the north side the toll booth (building) still stands with the prices of vehicles that want to cross. Think 1800's for price list.

As suggested below it's just a ruin but worth a look around the outside at least. As it's part of…read morethe English heritage sites you are admitted with a discount. There isn't any parking but plenty in and around the town. The castle itself is just off the Market place. If you walk down the hill past the entrance you can get a good perspective of this once mighty fortress & some good views of the river Tees & medieval bridge that is still used today. There are some nice walks on the other side of the river in either direction with foot bridges not more the half a mile to return you back to the castle. Probably not the best looking castle in SW Durham but it is up against Raby, Witton, Walworth, Brancpeth, Auckland & Durham itself. Worth a visit though if you are in Barnard Castle for day out.

Not much left of this place but still a good place to see, We looked outside and did not pay to…read morelook inside as its not worth it as not much of it left and you can see all you need to see outside. Its a hill you have to walk up to get to it but it is worth it, a nice piece of history

A nice Modern building located in the Market Place. I didn't have time to go in for a visit today,…read morenice sunny day too. Gives me something to look forward to next time in Bishop, sadly because of the decline of the town, online shopping & banking, no reason to go in. I'm sure once the building work within Auckland Castle is complete, the complex will be worth a visit.

From the owner: Your visit to Auckland Castle will soon begin at Auckland Tower where you can find all the…read moreinformation you need to explore the castle, grounds and local area. Here you will buy entry tickets, collect guidebooks and maps, get directions, and learn about special seasonal events and activities.

Capernwray Hall, stately home and residence of the Founder…read moreof Toarch Bearer Community, Major Ian Thomas. After World War II where he served as an army officer in Germany with the British Army of The Rhine, he dedicated his life and his fortune, mainly his residence and whole property, the Lord Lieutenant of the county of Lancaster home Capernwray Hall, to serve as the central unit to all his enormous religious activities, founding lots of bible school places and establishing regional and local sections of his Toarch Bearer Fellowship all over the world. Here it all began, in 1946, when he set out to buy the castle and to converte it into what it is now, the heart of his sacred movement.

Excellent day out, and with the newest dig unearthing more of the site it's well worth a visitread more

Easy to get to from Bishop Auckland Market place and signposted too…read more Out of the way, quiet and Free parking. once the largest Roman fort in County Durham. A small part has been excavated and is open to view and to visit, other parts are being investigated during the summer months. The Fort was built in the second half of the first century AD in wood and later rebuilt in stone. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binchester_Roman_Fort what is visible on a visit are a few courses of stone work of buildings and a courtyard surrounding a wonderful bath-house (see photo above)..there's also a section of roadway and numerous quality information boards. a worthwhile place to visit for the princely sum of £2.55 for a whole years worth of visits. http://www.durham.gov.uk/Pages/Service.aspx?ServiceId=6646

This has 100 students living in it all the time, so is not always available for tours. it was…read morebasically saved from ruin by money from American alumni. It has an ancient working kitchen, tudor, originally open to the air, with old black and white timber which has to be seen to be believed! The great hall where everyone eats is very impressive, as is the chapel, but it is the ancient chapel underneath that is the most impressive. This bit is older even than the cathedral, and has strange pagan carvings on the tops of the pillars, the origin of which no-one knows. The carvings show tropical lands, African animals and fruit! Possibly carved by slaves? Or prisoners would also have had enough time to carve them. There is a perfectly preserved Norman doorway which was rediscovered only recently, and an enormous 'flying' staircase that is about 400 years old and covered with the ulitmate sign of wealth, pineapples. The student's rooms all have two doors, and they are closed in a certain way to let people know whether you want to be disturbed or not. These are the ones that can be hired out as b&b. Probably well worth it.

You pay for a tour, which lasts about an hour. Again a bit pricey but very interesting and worth…read moreseeing if your visiting Durham. The frustrating thing is because their is students living there, You can not see most of the castle and I would have loved to see all of it. Really nice pictures to be taken from the outside, you are not allowed to take pictures of the inside as the tour advisor said it damaged the tapstry. The tour advisor really knew her stuff and told us some interesting facts about the castle and history behind it. Not good for disabled people as loads of awkward stairs. People can get married here on certain dates, seems an ideal place. Would certainly recommend a visit.

We visited September 2024, on a Last Kingdom pilgrimage from London to Bamburgh. Whitby was a must…read moresee for us, having been established by the Abbess Hild, who was portrayed in TLK. Even though liberties were taken with her timeline in the show it made sense to add Whitby Abbey a stop on our tour. The Abbey is a typical medieval Norman structure, one of many torn down by the **** Henry VIII when he had enough of Catholics. The state of ruin though adds to the mystique of the place. Its magnificent unmistakable shape seen for miles around atop the cliffs of Whitby, looking over the mouth of River Esk. We were lucky with the weather, a cool but clear sunny day. I can imagine it gets pretty cold and blustery up here, so pack accordingly, just in case. Its a fair bit of walking too, much of it up hill, even from the adjacent parking lot. So leave plenty of time if you are a slow huff-and-puff walker like me. If you're feeling fit then theres the 199 steps up from the town below. There is a great museum that covers a great deal of history of the area and the Abbey. Of course all the Bram Stoker and Dracula associations are noted and observed. As are lots of the other literary dignitaries linked to this place. Theres a very nice gift shop too with a good array of nick nacks and local fare. One thing miss from the North East is the mead. We got hooked on mead on our trip and they have a good selection in the Abbey shop. While you are there St Marys Church is just across the way (see my other review of that). Its a must see. While we were there, the ticket machine at the parking lot was not working, so we went without paying for a ticket. We didnt get towed or anything, I don't know how much they patrol the lot. Other than that the lot is pretty huge, loads of open spots. We were there later in the day midweek after schools were back, and there were only a few people visiting. I cant imagine the Abbey on a busy Saturday, the solitude added to the isolated ambience so I'm glad for that. Overall a must see, wherever you are from or heading to, make a point of getting up here at least once in your life.

Whitby Abbey is probably the most impressive Abbey we've visited yet. Sitting high above charming…read moreWhitby. The location and the Abbey have a long and interesting history. Some facts: Communities have lived on this headland for over 3,000 years and it has long been an important holy place and seat of power. In AD 657 Abbess Hild founded a monastery for men and women at Whitby, on land given by King Oswiu. It was Whitby's first monastic site. The Benedictine monk Reinfrid established a new community on the site in 1078. The Benedictine monastery was suppressed by Henry VIII in 1539 and its ruins are the ones we see on Whitby headland today. And Bram Stoker set part of Dracula here. The ruins are nothing short of breathtaking. The architecture, the countless details. You can spend a whole day here is still find more things to explore. And to imagine how the Abbey must have been when it was still in one piece. It's already an impressive sight now. But back then it must have been incredible. You can walk on the grounds and inside the Abbey freely. Dogs are also allowed on the site. There's lots of room and space for all visitors. Never felt crowded. If you arrive from the carpark on Abbey Lane then you will get some spectacular views of the Abbey from the little pond. The whole site is also wheelchair friendly, it's all pretty flat and easy to get around. EH members enter free of charge. A fantastic visit. And make sure to visit Whitby itself. It's probably packed as usual, but worth a visit.