2 St. Marys Close, Barnard Castle

County Durham. Sleeps up to 2

Nestled on the outskirts of the market town of Barnard Castle, in the dale of Teesdale in County Durham, is this stunning converted apartment. The apartment is part of an historic unique old school building dating back to 1892 and was Barnard Castle’s second National School. The architect and builder was Joseph Kyle who was also the contractor for the Bowes Museum. The school eventually closed in 1977 and the building became derelict before it was rescued and converted into housing in 1992. Internally, the property has been recently renovated into a brightly decorated apartment for couples looking to explore this historic town and its stunning countryside scenery. Step through to the wonderfully spacious open-plan living area, housing a range of high-quality furnishings including a corner sofa, where you can sink into the cushions and spend your evenings relaxing in front of the woodburning stove, for that added bit of warmth. The kitchen rests behind and has a set of modern fitted units and sleek worktops with ample preparation space for cooking up a storm for your partner! Gather around the large dining table to enjoy your meals over a well-deserved glass of champagne. Follow the steps up to the first floor, boasting a wonderful double bedroom, with built-in wardrobes and a range of contemporary furniture to store your personal items. The bathroom offers a fitted bath and shower over, so you can enjoy a relaxing soak in the tub after a tiring day. Barnard Castle is an excellent choice for a holiday, as it has a large number of tourist attractions that are a must-see, as well as easy access into both the North Pennines AONB and the Yorkshire Dales National Park for many countryside sites and walking trails. There are many stunning walks to enjoy from the doorstep of this apartment. Barnard Castle has many historical sites to offer visitors firstly its grade 1 listed castle ruins dating back to the 12th century. Several families developed the castle before it was passed to Richard III. Step out of your apartment and straight into the churchyard of a stunning church dating back to 1130. St Marys Parish Church has several stone decorations commissioned by Richard III during his time in the town. You will find his boar’s head badge on several buildings in the town including the church. The high street is just a short stroll from your apartment and boasts an eclectic mix of shops many of them independents, cafes, pubs and many other historically significant buildings such as The Market Cross and The Witham, which dates back to 1846. The Witham now functions as the towns Art & Leisure centre and has a gallery, theatre, café and shop. You can enjoy a stroll down The Bank, which is well known for its antique shops and artisan businesses. The Bowes Museum is within walking distance and houses an eclectic collection of antiques, ceramics and artwork. It has nationally acclaimed visiting exhibitions as well as its permanent collections. Well worth a visit you can easily spend a whole day at the museum taking a stroll through its woodland gardens and enjoying lunch at it’s café. There are a number of notable attractions in the area, Egglestone Abbey is an abandoned abbey, with much of the 13th century church still remaining to this date and has beautiful views across the picturesque River Tees. Raby Castle is a short drive and is the home of Lord Barnard. This 14th century castle is worth visiting when staying in the area and hosts many interesting events throughout the year. The Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and North Yorkshire Moors National Parks, Durham, Newcastle and the East coast holiday towns are all accessible from this apartment as day trips. It makes a fantastic base to explore all there is on offer in the North East.

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