Barnard Castle

Barnard Castle was founded by Bernard de Balliol in the 12th century and the ruins of this once mighty fortress dominate both the town named for it and the River Tees. Balliol College, Oxford, was named after Bernard’s ancestor, John, and John’s son (another John) was briefly King of Scotland. Afterwards, the castle came into the possession of the powerful Earls of Warwick – the Neville family – and through marriage to Anne Neville, it then came into the hands of Richard III. Later, it fell into disrepair and is now a spectacular ruin in an impressive setting.