Going here for the weekend without the kids, what is there to do in the area that the STW folks would recommend? Should we take the bikes? Bearing in mind that my other half isn’t as keen on biking as I am, although it was her that mentioned taking the bikes. Maybe she was testing me, trick question?

antiques shops, lots of antiques shops

theres also a great transport/bikers cafe at the top end of town near the park in front of the castle. think formica, fryups for about 14p and pictures of rally cars on the wall.

oh and theres a castle.

middleton in teesdale is nice enough and theres a waterfall to look at.

Biking wise its just down the road from the always contentious hamsterley which is either an underrated gem or muddy forest road hell depending who you listen to, there seems to be no middle ground. Its also just north of reeth and the northern yorkshire dales which is possibly a safer bet.

The castle is ace. The Bowes Museum is bobbins… unless you like tea pots.

Coasts and Castles cycle route is there, so that may be relaxing. Go to Craster, Dunstanburgh, Low Newton (fish’n’chips), Alnmouth (Red Lion for dinner), Alnwick Castle. Beautiful part of the world.

Quite a trek from Barnard Castle to the coast and castles route.

ourmaninthenorth are you getting mixed up with bamburgh?

all lovely places agreed, but a trek from barney?

Teesdale itself doesnt get a lot of tourists, between barnard castle and Alston there is only one indoor visitor attraction – Bowlees visitor centre.

On bikes – Hamsterly Forest or about 30mins to Reeth and Dales Bike Centre in Swaledale.

Off bikes – Barnard Castle Castle, Walks along the Tees – head west to Eggleston Abbey (not near eggleston village). Bowes Museum – worth looking at from the outside, French Chateau. Inside depends on how much you like your art. Not sure if they still have the mutant two headed calf in a case these days.

Upper Teesdale – waterfall walks from Bowlees. Park at visitor centre then go to Low Force and on up to High Force. Also check Gibsons Cave. Longer walk – start in Middleton and follow Pennine Way to High force and back. Tourist Information in Middleton in Teesdale – good cafes. Cow green and walk down to Cauldron Snout.

Car tour – Start in Barnard Castle then B6277 to Middleton, B6277 to Alston. A689 to Stanhope, B6278 back to Middleton. Enroute – Bowlees and Low Force, High Force, Alston – galleries, steam trains and stuff, Nenthead – mining stuff, Killhope – mining museum and big waterwheel, Ireshopeburn – small museum, Stanhope – steam trains.

Mountain biking – mostly moorland. Hamsterly – Eggleston – Hamsterly good if dry. I think best done anti clockwise. Bowes moor is more of a dry summer riding thing.

Cheers folks.

water skiing at bolderhead – 😯

Having now read the less keen biker bit – Dales Bike Centre, good route advice and top cakes.

Country pubs – Rose and Crown in Romaldkirk (hunting fishing shooting), Morrit at Greta Bridge – more hunting fishing shooting. High Force Hotel – basic country pub. Langdon Beck Hotel – very basic country pub. CB near Reeth. Couple of good cafes in Middleton.

Snow skiing – Harwood (Teesdale), Weardale and Yad Moss nr Alston (maybe next week!)

Good river around there for grade 3 ww kayaking if you want it.