Church of St Romald

The Church of St Romald sits quietly on the edge of Barnard Castle, a modest stone building that most visitors heading to the castle itself will walk straight past. It's worth stopping for, though - the church has real character, with some genuinely old features if you know where to look. The interior is typically simple for a country parish church, with whitewashed walls and straightforward Victorian restoration work, but the dedication to St Romald (a rather obscure saint, if you're asking) gives it a bit of personality.

You won't need long here - fifteen minutes will cover a proper look inside, maybe half an hour if you're the type to read every memorial stone. The walk from Barnard Castle town centre takes about ten minutes, so it's an easy add-on while you're exploring the castle itself. Families with young kids won't find much to occupy them, but anyone interested in local ecclesiastical architecture or just wanting a quiet moment away from the busier tourist spots will appreciate it.

It's free to visit, as most parish churches are, though opening hours aren't fixed - your best bet is checking with Barnard Castle's visitor information when you arrive. If you're staying at one of the nearby caravan parks like Doe Park or Hill Top Huts, this makes for a gentle morning walk before tackling the castle. It's the sort of place that rounds out a Teesdale itinerary nicely without demanding much of your time.