Barnard Castle is a ruined medieval castle situated on a high rock above the River Tees in County Durham.
A stone castle was initially built on the site of an earlier defended position from around 1095 to 1125 by Guy de Balliol. The castle was extended by his nephew Bernard de Balliol and his son Bernard II between 1125 and 1185. When John Balliol was deposed as King of Scotland in 1296, the castle was passed to the Bishop of Durham, and around 1300 Edward I granted it to the Earl of Warwick. During the War of the Roses, Richard III took possession of the castle, which became one of his favourite residences.
The Nevilles enlarged and improved the estate and created a substantial and impressive castle. Today, it’s in the custody of English Heritage and is open to the public.