The fortunes of adjacent Raby Castle and its owners have always been strongly tied with the picturesque Teesdale village of Staindrop. The Castle (which is open to the public) is one of England’s most magnificent. The mediaeval heart has been enlarged and beautified throughout the centuries, and a walled garden and 200-acre deer park add to the beauty. Staindrop’s broad village green is lined with intriguing shops, bars, and cafes. Barnard Castle, a popular market town with a castle, the Bowes Museum, and, of course, a wide selection of shops and tea houses, is 5 miles away. The varied treks in Teesdale will appeal to walkers.
