Barnard Castle Town Map

There are several parking options in Barnard Castle, all within easy walking distance of the town centre, shops, cafés and historic attractions.

Galgate Car Park
One of the largest public car parks in Barnard Castle and a useful base for exploring the town centre, Bowes Museum and nearby shops.
Address: Galgate, Barnard Castle, DL12 8EJ
Around 175 spaces are available, including disabled bays, coach parking and rapid EV charging points beside Morrisons. Public toilets, supermarkets and food shops are also close by, making this a practical starting point before exploring the town.

Queen Street Car Park
Often known locally as the “Hole in the Wall” car park, this is another convenient option close to the centre of Barnard Castle.
Address: Hole in the Wall, Queen Street, Barnard Castle, DL12 8GB
The car park has around 65 spaces, including disabled bays and EV charging points. It is only a short walk from the Market Place, Barnard Castle, cafés and nearby shops, making it a good place to park once and explore the town on foot.

Street Parking in Barnard Castle
There is also on street parking around parts of Barnard Castle, although many spaces in the town centre are limited to two hours free parking. Always check local signs and restrictions before leaving your vehicle.

Parking for the Bowes Museum
Bowes Museum has its own free visitor car park directly behind the museum building.
Address: Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, DL12 8NP
The museum car park is useful if you are planning to spend time exploring the museum, gardens and surrounding area. Vehicle gates are normally open from 8am until 5pm.

Parking for the Castle
Barnard Castle itself does not have its own dedicated visitor car park, but both Galgate Car Park and Queen Street Car Park are only a few minutes walk away.

Parking for Egglestone Abbey
Egglestone Abbey has a small visitor car park close to the abbey ruins.
Around 16 unmarked spaces are available and the car park can become busy during warmer weekends and school holidays.

There are two main public toilet locations in Barnard Castle.

Morrisons Car Park
6.00am to 6.00pm
Located beside Morrisons supermarket and opposite Yorkshire Trading. Includes accessible facilities with RADAR key access.

Market Place
8.00am to 6.00pm
Located on the main street opposite the Raby Arms Hotel, close to the Butter Market and town centre shops.

Opening times can occasionally change, so it is always worth checking local signs when you arrive.

Galgate Car Park
DL12 8EJ
Rapid EV charging beside Morrisons supermarket. Useful for quick charging stops close to the town centre.

Queen Street Car Park (Hole in the Wall)
DL12 8GB
Four 22kW Type 2 destination charging bays close to the Market Place, castle and town centre shops.

Bowes Museum
DL12 8NP
Visitor destination charging inside the Bowes Museum grounds with multiple Type 2 charging bays available for museum visitors.

Teesdale Leisure Centre
DL12 8DS
Public EV charging beside Teesdale Leisure Centre with easy access to nearby facilities.

Lidl Car Park
DL12 8TD
Fastned ultra rapid EV charging hub beside Lidl with five 150kW CCS chargers and one 50kW CHAdeMO rapid charger.

There are currently no outdoor 24 hour cash points in Barnard Castle. However, several shops in the town centre have cash machines available during opening hours.

Morrisons Supermarket
23 Galgate, Barnard Castle,  DL12 8EJ

Heron Foods
22 Market Place, Barnard Castle DL12 8NB

Co-op
17 Horse Market, Barnard Castle DL12 8LY

Boyes
28–32 Horse Market, Barnard Castle, DL12 8NA

Barnard Castle Post Office
2 Galgate, Barnard Castle,    DL12 8BE

Please note: all cash points are located inside the premises and are only available during normal opening hours.

Barnard Castle is full of history, and many of the town’s most important places are close enough to visit on foot.

Barnard Castle
Standing above the River Tees, Barnard Castle is the town’s most recognisable landmark. The large medieval fortress overlooks the river and surrounding countryside, with historic ruins, defensive walls and panoramic views across Teesdale.

The Bowes Museum
Sits just outside the town centre and is one of the most famous attractions in Barnard Castle. Its grand French style building, gardens, art collections and famous Silver Swan make it one of the North East’s most important cultural landmarks.

The Witham
Located in the heart of Barnard Castle, The Witham has long been linked with the town’s cultural, educational and community history. Today it continues to host events, performances and exhibitions inside one of the town’s most historic buildings.

The Market Cross (Butter Market)
Stands in the centre of the Market Place and remains one of Barnard Castle’s most recognisable historic landmarks. Dating back to the 1700s, it has been part of the town’s trading history for generations.

Egglestone Abbey
Sits beside the River Tees just outside Barnard Castle and is one of the area’s most peaceful historic sites. The abbey ruins are surrounded by woodland and riverside scenery, making it a quieter place to explore away from the busy town centre.

Wherever you are in Barnard Castle, you are never far from leaving the busy streets behind and connecting with nature. Several peaceful woodland walks can be reached on foot from the town centre, with riverside paths, quiet woods and scenic paths all close by.

Deepdale Nature Reserve
Lartington Lane, Barnard Castle, DL12 9AZ
Deepdale Nature Reserve is one of the most peaceful woodland walks near Barnard Castle, with miles of paths beside Deepdale Beck and beautiful scenery throughout the valley. Many of the routes are stile free, making it a relaxing place to slow down and enjoy the sound of the water and surrounding woodland.

Thorsgill Woods
Near Egglestone Abbey, Barnard Castle, DL12 8NP
Thorsgill Woods is a quiet and secluded stretch of woodland on the edge of Barnard Castle, hidden behind Egglestone Abbey. Woodland paths wind through the trees creating a calm and peaceful place for a short walk away from the town centre.

Pecknell Wood
Across the River Tees from Barnard Castle
Pecknell Wood begins with open riverside walking beside the River Tees before leading into peaceful woodland paths beneath the trees. It is one of the quieter walking areas around Barnard Castle and feels surprisingly remote despite being close to the town.

Flatts Wood
Barnard Castle, DL12 8LP
Flatts Wood is a popular woodland walk close to the centre of Barnard Castle, with paths running beside Percy Beck through mixed woodland. It is an easy place to escape into nature for a shorter walk without leaving the town behind.

Wherever you are in Barnard Castle, you are never far from a play park, open green space or somewhere peaceful for children to burn off energy. The town has several well maintained play areas, many set beside riverside walks, historic landmarks and beautiful scenery.

Scar Top
Close to the centre of Barnard Castle
Scar Top is one of the most popular family spaces in Barnard Castle, with a lovely children’s play park, mini golf course and wide open green space in front of the castle gates. It is a great place to relax while enjoying views across the River Tees and Barnard Castle itself.

The Demesnes
Lower part of Barnard Castle beside the River Tees
The Demesnes is a large open green space at the bottom of the town with riverside paths, room for picnics and a small children’s play park. With the River Tees running alongside the park, it is one of the nicest places in Barnard Castle for families to slow down and enjoy the outdoors.

Dawson Road Play Area
Near the town centre, Barnard Castle
Dawson Road Play Area is only a short walk from the centre of Barnard Castle and includes swings, slides and plenty of space for children to play. It is a useful little stop if you are exploring the town with younger children.

Green Lane Play Park
The park sits beside a large open green space with plenty of room for children to run around and play. The park includes swings, a slide and a small climbing frame, making it another handy family spot close to the top of the town.

Barnard Castle is one of the best market towns in the North for a slower, more enjoyable shopping experience. The historic streets are filled with independent shops, friendly local businesses and a welcoming atmosphere that makes the town feel full of life.

Around the town, you will find everything from artisan bakeries and cosy coffee shops to antique stores, gift shops, homeware, books, fashion and local food. Barnard Castle is especially well known for its antiques and independent retailers, with many visitors spending hours browsing the town’s traditional shop fronts and hidden little gems.

The town also has regular markets throughout the year, including the popular Barnard Castle Farmers Market, where local traders sell breads, cheeses, meats, cakes and handmade produce on the first Saturday of each month.

One of the nicest things about shopping in Barnard Castle is that everything is close together. You can easily wander between cafés, historic streets, independent shops and riverside walks without needing to rush, making the town just as enjoyable to explore as it is to shop in.

You certainly will not go hungry in Barnard Castle. The town has a great mix of places to eat, from cosy cafés and traditional pubs to restaurants, bakeries and takeaways, all spread around the historic streets of the town centre.

Whether you are looking for a full cooked breakfast, homemade cakes and coffee, a relaxed pub lunch or an evening meal after exploring Teesdale, there is plenty of choice within easy walking distance of the Market Place.

Barnard Castle has a strong independent feel when it comes to food, with many locally run cafés, coffee shops and pubs giving the town a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. You will also find a range of cuisines including Italian and Indian restaurants, alongside popular takeaways serving fish and chips, pizza, Chinese and other quick meals.

One of the nicest things about eating out in Barnard Castle is that everything feels close together and easy to explore on foot. You can spend the day wandering between the shops, castle, riverside walks and cafés without needing to leave the town centre.

Barnard Castle is still a traditional market town, with the historic Market Place and cobbled Horse Market continuing to host regular markets throughout the year.

Weekly Market

Every Wednesday, 8.00am to 4.30pm

The weekly Barnard Castle market is a long standing tradition dating back to the 1200s. Stalls usually include everyday essentials, clothing, plants, household goods and local traders, helping keep the market town atmosphere alive in the centre of Barnard Castle.

Farmers Market

First Saturday of every month, 9.00am to 2.00pm

The popular Barnard Castle Farmers Market takes place on the cobbles in the centre of town. Visitors will often find meats, cheeses, breads, preserves, artisan food and handmade local products from traders across Teesdale and the North East.

The markets sit alongside many of Barnard Castle’s cafés, independent shops and historic buildings, making them a lovely way to experience the atmosphere of the town while exploring the centre on foot.