England · 12th century
Bowes Castle ranks #4,524 of 9,040 worldwide in the atlas's castle fame ranking, and #292 of the 360 mapped in England. Founded 1170, it is older than 79% of the atlas's dated landmarks, one of 763 atlas entries founded in the 12th century. 7 more atlas landmarks stand within 25 km. The nearest day-trip guide is Newcastle upon Tyne, 57 km away. See how England compares in the castle statistics.
Bowes Castle is a medieval castle in the village of Bowes in County Durham, England. Built within the perimeter of the former Roman fort of Lavatrae, on the Roman road that is now the A66, the early timber castle on the site was replaced by a more substantial stone structure between 1170 and 1174 on the orders of Henry II. A planned village was built alongside the castle. Bowes Castle withstood Scottish attack during the Great Revolt of 1173–74 but was successfully looted by rebels in 1322. The castle went into decline and was largely dismantled after the English Civil War. The ruins are now owned by English Heritage and managed as a tourist attraction. There is free admission during daylight hours.
Text adapted from “Bowes Castle” on Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
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