We left Bamburgh Castle and headed for our next destination, a town called Barnard Castle in the County of Durham. This drive took us again through Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, which would be the second time we were in this vicinity. (Further proof of our circuitous route of travel.) The drive was pretty easy as drives in Britain go and we approached our destination in the late afternoon. We saw signs for Raby Castle, which was a place we intended to visit during our stay in this area. Since we were going right by and it was still open, we stopped. It was another very enjoyable visit. We were just in time as it closes for the winter in October.
Raby Castle is another privately owned place and was built in the 12th century by the Nevills. They owned it until the 1600s when ownership reverted to the crown. In 1626, the castle was purchased by the Vanes. The family still maintains ownership of the castle. It sits on a large piece of land, including a 200 acre deer park, and deer can be seen grazing on the grounds. Many rooms in the castle have been opened to the public and are furnished beautifully.
The great kitchen was built in 1360 and in daily use until 1954. It is immense.
This looks just like your dining room, right?
This room was where the servants ate and reminded me of the downstairs dining room on "Downton Abbey."
Imagine having an entry hall big enough to drive a carriage into.
Other rooms:
After admiring the castle and having a cup of tea and a scone in the tearoom, we drove on to our next B&B. This was a charming town again, and again had ruins of another castle. You can't seem to go anywhere in the UK without running into a castle!
Our room, again, was cozy but nice and the location was great.
We spent a lot of the next day touring the Bowes Art Museum, which we enjoyed immensely.The Bowes Museum was built as a public art gallery for John Bowes and his wife Josephine, Countess of Montalbo, who both died before it opened in 1892.
They spent a lifetime collecting art for the museum and much, of course, has been added since. A highlight is the Silver Swan, a mechanical piece built in the 18th century. It does its moving "show" just once a day now so as to preserve the mechanics. It is gorgeous.
There is art of every kind in here and so much history that it's impossible to take it all in. Ceramics, stained glass, furniture, paintings, sculpture, textiles and clothing, toys, and on and on. This little town is exceedingly fortunate to have such a resource nearby.
And the food in the cafe was excellent!
Raby Castle is another privately owned place and was built in the 12th century by the Nevills. They owned it until the 1600s when ownership reverted to the crown. In 1626, the castle was purchased by the Vanes. The family still maintains ownership of the castle. It sits on a large piece of land, including a 200 acre deer park, and deer can be seen grazing on the grounds. Many rooms in the castle have been opened to the public and are furnished beautifully.
The great kitchen was built in 1360 and in daily use until 1954. It is immense.
This looks just like your dining room, right?
This room was where the servants ate and reminded me of the downstairs dining room on "Downton Abbey."
Imagine having an entry hall big enough to drive a carriage into.
Other rooms:
After admiring the castle and having a cup of tea and a scone in the tearoom, we drove on to our next B&B. This was a charming town again, and again had ruins of another castle. You can't seem to go anywhere in the UK without running into a castle!
Our room, again, was cozy but nice and the location was great.
We spent a lot of the next day touring the Bowes Art Museum, which we enjoyed immensely.The Bowes Museum was built as a public art gallery for John Bowes and his wife Josephine, Countess of Montalbo, who both died before it opened in 1892.
They spent a lifetime collecting art for the museum and much, of course, has been added since. A highlight is the Silver Swan, a mechanical piece built in the 18th century. It does its moving "show" just once a day now so as to preserve the mechanics. It is gorgeous.
There is art of every kind in here and so much history that it's impossible to take it all in. Ceramics, stained glass, furniture, paintings, sculpture, textiles and clothing, toys, and on and on. This little town is exceedingly fortunate to have such a resource nearby.
And the food in the cafe was excellent!
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