Barnard Castle is a beautiful market town located in County Durham. It is a fantastic place to live, especially if you have children, as there are plenty of things to do around the town that will keep your kids entertained and engaged.
Here are some of our favourite things to do with kids that are not too far away from our development, Ashtree Park, in Barnard Castle.
The Bowes Museum
From its beautiful gardens and surrounding woodlands, to its fascinating history and interesting exhibitions, the Bowes Museum is a great place to visit with kids. Children can explore the different collections of art, furniture, ceramics, and textiles, or enjoy one of the interactive exhibits and workshops that take place throughout the year.
The Bowes Museum is just a 7 minute drive or 30 minute walk from Ashtree Park.
The Plotters’ Forest at Raby Castle
If your child likes a play area, then they are going to be amazed by The Plotters’ Forest! This bespoke children’s play area is located just north of Raby Castle, and is nestled in a magical Christmas tree plantation. Built out of sustainable materials and around existing trees the play area feels like it’s always been there; an extension to the great outdoors. There are climbing towers, treetop tunnels, twisty slides and so much more to explore. There’s also a dedicated under 4’s area for the littler ones, with a mini castle and slide. After all of that exploring, children and adults alike can sit down and relax at the café, and enjoy a range of tasty snacks and drinks.
The Plotters’ Forest is just a 14 minute drive from Ashtree Park.
High Force Waterfall
High Force Waterfall is a must-visit for families. The waterfall is one of the most spectacular in England, dropping 2 meters into the plunge pool below. The walk up to the waterfall is only about 1/3 of a mile, making it easily accessible for little legs and even pushchairs (there are approximately 26 steps down to the viewing area at the base of the falls; wheelchair users and people with pushchairs can view the falls from the top of the steps.) Once you get there, the waterfall provides a perfect backdrop for family photos. There are plenty of walks to do around the waterfall, and the area is suitable for all ages.
High Force Waterfall is just under a half an hour drive from Ashtree Park.
Adrenalin
If you’ve got an older child who is a bit of an adrenalin junkie, then this place will become a regular place to visit if you live in Barnard Castle. Ran by a team of experiences, skilled instructors, there is a huge list of activities to choose from at Adrenalin, such as quad biking, paintball, abseiling, crossbow, climbing walls, high ropes, archery, zip wires, survival courses, treasure trails, obstacle courses, overnight camps and so much more! There are also party packages available if your little one has a birthday coming up.
Adrenalin is just under a 25 minute drive from Ashtree Park.
Go for a walk or bike ride
Sometimes, it’s the simplest things that make for the best days out with the children. One of the best things about Barnard Castle is that there is so much to explore, you’ll be spoilt for choice if you live in the area. Whether you walk or cycle around Barnard Castle itself, enjoy a journey along the River Tees or take in the history around the beautiful Egglestone Abbey, there’s something for everyone around Barnard Castle. Here are some of the best walking routes and the best cycling routes in the area.
In conclusion, Barnard Castle is a fantastic place to live with children. There are plenty of activities to keep them entertained, and the surrounding countryside offers some stunning scenery. Whether you choose to visit museums, explore the ruins or go cycling, you are sure to have a great time with your family in this popular market town.
If you’re looking to move to Barnard Castle, we have a desirable collection of three, four and five bedroom homes available at Ashtree Park. Stonebridge has been building homes and communities for over a decade and specialise in delivering quality, high specification properties. However, no amount of words can accurately express how a Stonebridge home looks and feels: you need to visit Ashtree Park to discover this for yourself. Call 0113 357 1132 or email ashtreepark@stonebridgehomes.co.uk to find out more.