Old Bank House Barnard Castle

31/08/2026

🍃This “divine garden in a former coal-mining town” has just featured in the Financial Times.

Make sure you visit The Auckland Project during your stay - as well as the gardens, there’s the Auckland Palace, Deer Park, Faith & Mining Museums, The Spanish Gallery, Kynren & The Storied Lands, Auckland Tower and Binchester Roman Fort.

26/08/2026

💣 During WWII, scrap metal drives for the war effort stripped iron railings from across the UK - including right here in Barnard Castle’s town centre and behind us in St Mary’s churchyard.

🧐 So why did ours survive?

Simple - for sheer practical safety! Situated on the steep incline of The Bank, our railings were deemed essential to stop people from falling off the front steps.

Today, they’re one of the town’s surviving pieces of wartime history, sitting right outside our front door.

🔍 Next time you’re wandering through the town, look closely at the low stone walls of other historic buildings. You’ll still see the sawn-off metal stumps where the original railings were cut down for scrap!

History really is hiding in plain sight 🏡✨

📩 Save this post for your next trip to County Durham, or tap the link in our bio to book your stay surrounded by local history! 👇

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HiddenHistory UKTravel

15/08/2026

08/08/2026

🏄‍♀️ Looking for a fun way to enjoy the water during your stay at Old Bank House? Our friends at H2O Riders are offering fantastic paddleboarding lessons every Friday this summer, perfect for beginners looking to learn the basics in a safe, instructor-led environment.

08/08/2026

🌄 Large open moorland and views that stretch for miles make County Durham one of the best places in the UK for stargazing! 🌟✨

The programme has been launched for this year’s celebration of the dark skies of the North Pennines National Landscape and UNESCO Global Geopark.

The tenth North Pennines Stargazing Festival will run from Friday 23 October to Sunday 1 November 2026, with a range of fun and informative events throughout the autumn half-term holiday.

There is a packed programme of almost 30 activities, with events for more experienced stargazers alongside those aimed at children and families. The full programme is available at www.NorthPenninesStarFest.org



📸(c) Grassholme Observatory and (c)North Pennines National Landscape

07/08/2026

Planning your stay at Old Bank House? We love this guide from historywithmegs, which highlights some of the incredible historic treasures waiting for you right here in County Durham. Whether you are a fan of medieval architecture, hidden libraries or historical shows there is so much to explore just a short distance away. Plan your stay today - link in bio 🏰👑📚

05/08/2026

🤩🚂 If you’re staying with us at Old Bank House this August, you’re in for a historic treat! The legendary💨 Flying Scotsman 💨 famous for being the first steam locomotive to officially reach 100mph, is currently visiting our corner of the North East at Locomotion in Shildon. It’s just a short drive from Barnard Castle, making it the perfect day out for train enthusiasts and families alike! 🚂🤩