Photo of Barnard Castle, a ruined castle near Cotherstone, County Durham, north east England.

Barnard CastlePhoto Tom Maclean / Unsplash

Castles & strongholds in County DurhamCounty Durham, England

16 castles in the Albion Guide across County Durham — see the full castles directory, or everything to explore in County Durham.

Iconic

Barnard Castle

Castle near Cotherstone

Norman castle sharing the cathedral's World Heritage peninsula.

Auckland Castle deer shelter

Castle near Bishop Auckland

A medieval castle in County Durham.

Bowes Castle

Castle near Cotherstone

A medieval castle in County Durham.

Bantling Castle

Castle near Chester-le-Street

Bantling Castle Lime Kilns

Castle Hill (County Durham)

Castle near Middlesbrough

A medieval castle in County Durham.

Castle Steads camp

Castle near Brancepeth

A medieval castle in County Durham.

Cotherstone Castle

Castle near Cotherstone

A medieval castle in County Durham.

Hunstanworth tower house

Tower house near Blanchland

A fortified tower house in County Durham.

Maiden Castle (County Durham)

Castle near Durham

Maiden Castle promontory fort

Middleham Castle (County Durham)

Castle near Brancepeth

A medieval castle in County Durham.

The Castles (camp)

Castle near Hamsterley

A medieval castle in County Durham.

Westgate Castle

Castle near St John's Chapel

A medieval castle in County Durham.

Barnard Castle (County Durham)

Ringwork · Castle near Barnard Castle

Barnard Castle: ringwork, shell keep castle, chapel and dovecote

Bishopton Castle

Motte & bailey · Castle near Tees-side Airport

Motte and bailey castle 400m south east of Bishopton

Round Hill castle mound and bailey

Motte & bailey · Castle near Middlesbrough

The earthworks of a Norman motte-and-bailey castle in County Durham.

Tower Hill motte (County Durham)

Motte & bailey · Castle near Dinsdale

Tower Hill motte castle, 370m north-east of Dinsdale Spa